Senior advocate RK Anand on Friday said he had served a legal notice seeking Rs 50 crore as damages from NDTV, accusing the news channel of defaming him by telecasting a sting operation relating to the sensational BMW case.
"NDTV should apologise for misrepresentation of facts. I have inititated legal action against them and the notice has been served to them for damages of Rs 50 crore," he said in a statement.
Contacted for NDTV's reaction to Anand's allegations, the channel's Managing Editor Barkha Dutt said NDTV has already handed over all unedited footage to the trial court as well as to the Delhi High Court and "we will follow the legal process in this case," she said.
Anand, who is defending the main accused Sanjeev Nanda, grandson of former Navy Chief SM Nanda and senior advocate IU Khan, now dropped as special public prosecutor, were shown as purportedly trying to influence Sunil Kulkarni, a witness in the case.
Demanding apology for "misrepresentation" of facts, Anand said "I regretfully state that NDTV has put its reputation at stake by relying upon a person like Sunil Kulkarni, whose character and intentions have been doubted not just by media, courts and police but by the NDTV itself".
{{/usCountry}}Demanding apology for "misrepresentation" of facts, Anand said "I regretfully state that NDTV has put its reputation at stake by relying upon a person like Sunil Kulkarni, whose character and intentions have been doubted not just by media, courts and police but by the NDTV itself".
{{/usCountry}}"No money has been paid or any attempt is made to influence any of the witness. I am made to pay the price of my background and status. This is most unfortunate and aimed at influencing the courts of law by a side and motivated trial in the media," the lawyer said.