Asaram moves plea to Rajasthan Governor, seeking dilution of life-sentence
Self-styled godman Asaram, who was convicted for raping a minor girl, has sent a mercy plea to the Governor of Rajasthan seeking dilution of his life sentence. On April 25, a Jodhpur court had sentenced Asaram, whose real name is Asumal Sirumalani Harpalani, to life in prison after finding him guilty of raping a teenage girl in his ashram five years ago. Here's more.
Plea terms life sentence a 'grueling' punishment citing Asaram's age
Asaram had then moved to HC on July 2 but the petition is yet to be listed for hearing. On receipt of his mercy plea, the Governor sent it to the Home Department seeking a detailed report on the plea. According to his plea, Asaram has pleaded for dilution in his life sentence terming it to be a "grueling" punishment citing his age.
Plea to be looked into by district administration, police
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. "We've sought a report from the district administration and police on this plea," Superintendent of Jodhpur Central Jail, Kailash Trivedi, said. After receipt of this report, the jail administration will send it to the Director General (Jail) of Rajasthan.
Brief history of the case
A 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 UP was studying at Asaram's ashram in Chhindwara in MP.
