Lawyer R.K. Anand, convicted by the Delhi High Court of attempting to obstruct the course of justice in the BMW hit-and-run case, has offered free legal help to the accused in the Azad Maidan riots case.
As counsel for Sanjeev Nanda, he was found guilty of trying to influence a key witness. Recently, the Supreme Court directed him to take up free legal aid cases for one year as an alternative to six months’ imprisonment.
Last week, Mr. Anand was invited by a local Urdu daily for a meeting of families of the riots accused.
“It was just a formal discussion,” an associate editor of the paper told The Hindu on the phone. “He wanted to meet the people. He offered help and said he would do whatever he can by way of giving advice for those who are innocent and still under arrest. He said he was not going to charge [fees]. We said we have to follow the court procedures.”
Mr. Anand was believed to have asked the families to bring documents of the accused, especially those who were studying in colleges and elsewhere.
Sheikh Yasmin, wife of Sheikh Ashraf Sirajulhaq, alleged Azad Maidan rioter, said: “My husband is an engineering student. We are yet to submit his course documents. My mother-in-law had attended the meeting and Mr. Anand offered to help. Many are believed to be innocent among those arrested and he said he would try and help those,” she said.
Keywords: Azad Maidan riots case, BMW hit-and-run case, R.K. Anand
RK Anand's offer to Azad Maidan Riot Accused persons free of charge appears to be another attempt to thwart the course of justice. This is because the police is already on the job of investigation. Large sums of money is due from the rioters/accused for causing damage to the public property. The agitator's actions in response in Mumbai to the happenings in Assam and Burma and Bangladesh are not justifiable as they are unrelated.The peace loving citizens of India are seriously concerned and fed up of the frequent disruptive activities of violence of the fringe elements. Political parties like MNS and Shiv Sena cannot be blamed for their basis of stand on the issue appears to be correct as has been found from the media reports about the mischief of SIMI and IMs.
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