Nagpur/New Delhi: Death row convict Yakub Memon has filed a plea with the president seeking commutation of his death sentence to life imprisonment, official sources said on Wednesday.

This is the first time Memon – found guilty and sentenced to death for his role in the March 12, 1993 Mumbai serial blasts – has made a direct plea to the president.

Earlier, a similar appeal was made by his family on his behalf which was rejected in April 2014.

Memon has contended in the latest appeal that his plea with Maharashtra Governor C.V. Rao is also pending and so the hanging – earlier scheduled for Thursday – would be illegal.

Speaking to the media, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, has termed the latest development as "a ploy by Memon to delay the hanging process".

(IANS)