BMW expose case: Anand tenders unconditional apology to SC

Noted criminal lawyer RK 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 judgment.

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-- RK Anand and IU 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.