The Hindu : Front Page : BMW case judge watches NDTV tapes

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Saturday, Jun 02, 2007
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BMW case judge watches NDTV tapes

Staff Reporter

Bar Council to look into role of lawyers R. K. Anand and I. U. Khan

NEW DELHI: Television news channel NDTV on Friday submitted to a local court here tapes of its sting operation in which the defence and prosecution lawyers in the BMW hit-and-run case were allegedly shown discussing with eyewitness Sunil Kulkarni ways to bail out prime accused Sanjeev Nanda.

Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Kumar viewed the tapes in his chamber. NDTV Managing Editor Sonia Singh and other NDTV reporters involved in the sting operation were also present during the three-hour viewing, as per directions of the court.

The court also asked eyewitness Kulkarni and the Investigating Officer of the case, Sub-Inspector Ulhas Giri, to attend the screening. On Thursday the court had summoned the Managing Editor of NDTV and all the reporters concerned with the operation along with complete and un-edited tapes.

The Delhi High Court had already taken cognisance of the sting operation on Thursday and directed the Registrar-General of the Court to collect all relevant documents and footage pertaining to the case and report before it on June 11.

Meanwhile, the trial court has fixed July 11 as the next date of hearing in the BMW case. Kulkarni was being cross-examined by the prosecution when the sting operation was telecast.

Sanjeev Nanda, along with four others, has been accused of killing six persons, including three policemen, in the early hours of January 10, 1999, here on Lodhi Road. One of the accused has been discharged by the Delhi High Court.

Meanwhile, Delhi Bar Council chairman K. K. Manan announced the constitution of a three-member fact-finding committee led by former Bar Council of India chairman C. L. Sachdeva to look into the roles of lawyers R. K. Anand and I. U. Khan. The committee has also asked NDTV to furnish footage of the sting operation for the purpose. It is to submit its report within two weeks.

Anand to sue NDTV

for 50 crore

In a statement on Friday, Mr. R. K. Anand said he had decided to sue NDTV for defamation, seeking Rs.50 crore in damages.

He alleged that NDTV had erred in judgment by reposing its faith in a witness whose characters and intentions were doubtful. He also alleged that the channel had paid Kulkarni for carrying out the operation.

"The footage is fabricated and cherry-picked," charged Mr. Anand.

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