Utsav Bhasin convicted in 2008 BMW hit-and-run case

A court here on Friday acquitted Utsav Bhasin, the son of a Haryana-based businessman of harsher charges of culpable homicide but convicted him under the lighter offence of causing death by rash and negligent driving in the 2008 BMW hit-and-run case in south Delhi.

Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev Kumar convicted Bhasin, accused of ramming his BMW car into a motorcycle and killing a man in 2008, under sections 304-A (causing death by rash and negligent act), 279 (driving rashly which could endanger human life) and 338 (causing grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

However, the court acquitted him of a harsher section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) saying that there is lack of evidence to prosecute the accused on harsher charges.

The court observed that the witnesses did not support the charges of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, for which a person can be jailed for a minimum 10 years or maximum for life.

However, under sections 304 and 338 of the IPC, Bhasin may face imprisonment for two years or a fine.

Bhasin was driving his BMW car when he allegedly hit the two-wheeler on Moolchand flyover in south Delhi, killing Anuj Singh, who was riding as a pillion, and injuring journalist Mrighank Srivastava on September 11, 2008.

Anuj Singh was working as a freelance journalist and was also pursuing a course in graphic designing and animation from a private institution in south Delhi.

The victim's father and brother were present in the court room when the court delivered the judgement.

The court asked the brother and the father of the victim to remain present on the next date of hearing, May 26, as it will hear arguments on the quantum of sentence and amount of compensation.

The court asked the police to file a report on the economic condition of the victim's family and the convict and his family.

The court also asked injured Mrighank Srivastava to appear before it on the next date fixed for hearing.

--IANS

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