Self-styled godman Asaram who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl has sent a mercy plea to the Rajasthan Governor, seeking dilution of the punishment, reported PTI. In his mercy plea, Asaram cited his old age and sought respite from the “gruelling” punishment. On April 25, Asaram was held guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in one of his ashrams five years ago. Challenging the sentence, Asaram had moved Rajasthan High Court on July 2 but the petition is yet to be listed for hearing. Kalyan Singh, the Governor of Rajasthan, has sent the plea to the home department seeking a detailed report on it. The department has forwarded the petition to the Jodhpur Central Jail administration, which, in turn, has sought a report from the district administration and police.

Self-styled godman Asaram who was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping a minor girl has sent a mercy plea to the Rajasthan Governor, seeking dilution of the punishment, reported PTI. In his mercy plea, Asaram cited his old age and sought respite from the “gruelling” punishment. On April 25, Asaram was held guilty of raping a 16-year-old girl in one of his ashrams five years ago. Challenging the sentence, Asaram had moved Rajasthan High Court on July 2 but the petition is yet to be listed for hearing. Kalyan Singh, the Governor of Rajasthan, has sent the plea to the home department seeking a detailed report on it. The department has forwarded the petition to the Jodhpur Central Jail administration, which, in turn, has sought a report from the district administration and police.