When Shishupal was forgiven, why can''t I be: R K Anand to SC

New Delhi, Jan 18 (PTI) When Lord Krishna forgaveShishupal hundred times in the Mahabharata, then why can''t Ifor once be by the Supreme Court, this was how noted lawyer RK Anand today apologised in the apex court for attempting toinfluence the course of justice in BMW hit-and-run case.

"I''ve already tendered my unconditional and sincereapology. Shishupal was forgiven by Lord Krishna hundred timesin the Mahabharata. My case is one," senior advocate M RKalla, appearing for Anand, pleaded before a three-judge benchheaded by Justice B Sudershan Reddy.

Anand tendered his "sincere and unqualified andunconditional apology" for all acts imputed to him in thesting operation carried out by a news channel in 2007 and asobserved in the Supreme Court judgement.

He was responding on the apex court''s show cause noticeas to why he should not be given more punishment under section12 of Contempt of Court Act.

"He has appeared in many important cases. He alwaysdefended the judicial institution. But after this case, he haslost career, public life and everything," the advocate saidadding Anand has already suffered much in life and the apexcourt should not enhance the punishment.

The court said "we would consider your prayer."

The apex court had on July 29, 2009 upheld hisconviction and stripped him of the status of senior advocatefor contempt of court for attempting to influence the courseof justice in the hit-and-run case.

A three-judge bench of apex court had asked why thequantum of punishment for Anand, who was the defence lawyer inthe BMW case, should not be enhanced.

The apex court had held that the sting operation carriedout by NDTV showing the defence and prosecution lawyers tryingto influence controversial witness Sanjay Kulkarni as not atypical case of trial by the media but undertaken in publicinterest.

The Delhi High Court had held guilty two senioradvocates R K Anand and I U Khan for obstructingadministration of justice and, as a punishment, debarred themfrom appearing in courts for four months.

However, the apex court had set aside the conviction ofKhan on charges of contempt of court.