SC to consider RK Anand`s affidavit

The SC said it cannot discharge noted lawyer R K Anand from the charge of contempt for trying to influence a witness in the BMW hit-and-run case.

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday said it cannot discharge noted lawyer R K Anand from the charge of contempt for trying to influence a witness in the BMW hit-and-run case.

In an affidavit, Anand pleaded that the apex court accept his unconditional apology and discharge him of the contempt charge and the punishment awarded to him be remitted. However, the bench said the decision of the Delhi High Court holding him guilty of contempt of court charges for trying to influence a witness in the BMW hit-and-run case, has been upheld and the question before it was only why his quantum of punishment should not be enhanced. The court, in the meantime, said it will consider his offer to donate Rs 21 lakh for upliftment of the infrastructure for legal education and for providing free legal aid to poor people for a year. "We will pass the order," a bench comprising justices G S Singhvi, Aftab Alam and C K Prasad said while taking on record the affidavit filed by Anand offering to donate RS 21 lakh through cheque to Bar Council of India for establishment of computer Centre/library in law college and an undertaking to prove free legal aid to poor for one year. The apex court had upheld his conviction on July 29, 2009 and had stripped him of the designation of senior advocate for committing contempt of court by attempting to influence the course of justice as a defence counsel in the hit-and-run case and had asked him as to why his quantum of punishment should not be enhanced. PTI