New Delhi: Noted criminal lawyer R K
Anand, who was held guilty of attempting to influence the
course of justice in the infamous BMW hit-and-run case, has
tendered an unconditional apology to the Supreme Court.
Anand tendered his "sincere and unqualified
unconditional apology" for all acts imputed to him in the
sting operation carried out by a news channel in 2007 and as
observed in the Supreme Court judgement.
The reply by the advocate came on the apex court's
show cause notice as to why he should not be given more
punishment.
Anand pleaded before the court that his punishment
should not be enhanced under section 12 of Contempt of Court
Act.
The apex court had on July 29, 2009 upheld the
conviction and stripping the status off senior advocate of
Anand for contempt of court for attempting to influence the
course of justice in the hit-and-run case.
A three-judge bench of apex court had asked as to why
the quantum of punishment for Anand, who was the defence
lawyer in the BMW case, should not be enhanced.
The apex court had held that the sting operation
carried out by NDTV showing the defence and prosecution
lawyers trying to influence controversial witness Kulkarni as
not a typical case of trial by the media but undertaken in
public interest.
The Delhi High Court had held guilty two senior
advocates-- R K Anand and I U Khan, for obstructing
administration of justice and, as a punishment, debarred them
from appearing in courts for four months.
However, the apex court had set aside the conviction
of Khan from charges of contempt of court.
PTI
First Published: Tuesday, March 09, 2010, 11:51