Asaram Moves Mercy Plea, Calls Life Sentence 'Gruelling Punishment'
In his mercy plea, Asaram called life sentence a 'gruelling punishment' and sought dilution citing his age, reported news agency PTI.
Jaipur, Sep 11: Rape convict self-styled godman Asaram has moved a mercy plea before Rajasthan Governor Kalyan Singh, seeking dilution of his life sentence. Asaram was found of raping a minor and awarded life imprisonment. In his mercy plea, Asaram called life sentence a 'gruelling punishment' and sought dilution citing his age, reported news agency PTI.
Governor Kalyan Singh, who recently received Asaram’s mercy plea, sent it to the home department seeking a detailed report on the plea. The department then forwarded the plea to the Jodhpur Central Jail administration, which, in turn, has sought a report from the district administration and police. After receipt of this report, the jail administration will send it to the Director General (Jail) of Rajasthan. Asaram Bapu Convicted: Meet Ajay Pal Lamba, the Top Cop Who Received 2,000 Threat Letters, Phone Calls During Rape Case Probe.
On April 25, a Jodhpur court had sentenced Asaram to life in prison after convicting him for rape of a teenage girl in his ashram five years ago. Asaram had moved Rajasthan High Court on July 2, challenging the verdict. However, his petition is yet to be listed for hearing.
The 16-year-old girl had said in her complaint that Asaram had called her to his ashram in the Manai area near Jodhpur and raped her on the night of August 15, 2013. The teenager from Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh was studying at Asaram’s ashram in Chhindwara in Madhya Pradesh.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 11, 2018 03:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).