BMW hit-and-run accused permitted to go abroad

A court here has allowed Utsav Bhasin, who is facing trial in the 2008 BMW hit-and-run case, to visit Europe for 14 days.

Bhasin, son of a Haryana-based industrialist, was driving his BMW car when he allegedly hit a two-wheeler on Delhi's Moolchand flyover, killing rider Anuj Singh in September 2008. A journalist of a TV channel was also injured in the accident.

He is facing trial under various charges dealing with culpable homicide not amounting to murder, driving rashly which could endanger human life and causing grievous hurt.

Bhasin moved an application before Additional Sessions Judge Renu Bhatnagar, seeking permission to go to Europe (Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Spain) from March 2-15 and for the release of his passport.

The judge allowed his plea after Bhasin assured that he will abide by the court's earlier order and will inform the court on his arrival.

"In the past also, he has been granted permission to travel abroad several times and there was no such condition imposed in the bail order of Bhasin that he was not allowed to visit abroad.

"The accused has never misused the concession given to him on previous occasions," the court said in an order delivered Thursday.

The court also ordered the release of his passport on condition that he will surrender the same within a week of his return.