Dear friends:

As most of you are aware, a calamity has struck Amruta and the family. Mahesh has been convicted in court and is now awaiting sentencing which will be on July 26th. We believe Mahesh can never mean harm to any soul, he has always been gracious, helpful and charitable. Perhaps a little careless, not the best at reading people, and certainly hasty, but not what he has been accused of.

However, the fact remains that today, he stands convicted with no chance of appeal. His QC (lawyer) has told us that the maximum sentence is 12 years and that Mahesh could potentially get 8 years, of which he will have to serve 4 in prison and 4 outside. This is an unfathomable thought for all of us, but it could come true. Nothing in this saga has gone Amruta and Mahesh's way so far.

Before the sentencing occurs, I would like to make one last ditch effort for Mahesh, by appeal to the compassion of the judge and pleading her to shorten Mahesh's sentence as much as possible. To this end, I have drafted this petition to the judge. The more of his friends and family sign this petition, the more will be its force.

If you agree with what I have said, could you please electronically sign this petition. I will hand this over to Amruta with the hope that it will help Mahesh's case.

Thank you,
Ashish R. Arondekar