SC asks Sanjeev Nanda to pay Rs 50 lakh to Centre

New Delhi, Aug 3: The

today ruled that

, whose

ran over six persons including three policemen in Jan 1999, will have to do two years of community service and deposit Rs 50 lakh with the Centre so that the victims of similar hit-and-run cases can be provided adequate compensation.

The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is to decide on what kind of community service Sanjeev should perform. If he fails to comply with their directions, the SC said that Sanjeev will have to undergo simple imprisonment of one year.

The bench of Justice Deepak Verma and Justice KS Radhakrishnan today upheld the Delhi High Court order in the BMW hit-and-run case. In Jul 2009, the HC had reduced Sanjeev's prison term from five years to two years. Since he has already served the sentence, Sanjeev need not spend any more time in jail.

Though the apex court granted him relief, the judges were very critical of Sanjeev's insensitivity to those fatally injured in the accident. They described as "reprehensible" the haste in which he sped away from the spot.

The trial court had convicted Sanjeev under Section 304-II of IPC (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) but in Jul 2009 the High Court only held him guilty under Section 304-A (causing death due to rash and negligent act). Modifying this, the SC today ordered his conviction on the higher charge of culpable homicide, not amounting to murder.

Sanjeev is the grandson of former Navy chief Admiral SM Nanda. Incidentally, his father Suresh is an arms dealer.

OneIndia News