Sacked MLA Kanwarlal Meena petitions Guv Bagde for pardon

Jaipur: Sacked from the Rajasthan Assembly after he was awarded a three-year jail sentence for pointing a gun at an SDM in a 20-year-old case, former BJP legislatior Kanwarlal Meena has appealed to Governor Haribhau Bagde for pardon. The governor's office has now sought a report from the govt on Meena's petition.Meena's membership of the legislature may be reinstated, and his sentence suspended or commuted on the governor's recommendation. As per Article 161 of the Constitution of India, Governor of a state has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment, or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.Meena, former BJP MLA from the Anta seat in Baran, was awarded a three year sentence in a 20-year-old case in which he pointed a gun at an SDM in Aklera during panchayat bypolls. The sentence was upheld by both the Rajasthan High Court and Supreme Court. He surrendered before Aklera Court and was sent to jail. Following persistent protests by the political opposition and sanction from Speaker Vasudev Devnani, his membership of Rajasthan Assembly was finally terminated on May 23 this year.A close confidante of former Rajasthan CM Vasundhara Raje, Meena's petition has now led Jhalawar SP to request opinion from the Aklera police station. Leader of Opposition Tikaram Jully, however, protested the BJP's bid to "save" Meena, calling the governor's intervention in the matter as reflection of the "true face of BJP, pretending to be protectors of democracy". "A path is being paved to pardon the dismissed BJP MLA through the Governor. Is such a pardon ever granted to a common person, or is this privilege reserved only for BJP members? " Jully asked.