SC Grants Interim Bail to Vikas Yadav in Nitish Katara Murder Case to Meet Ailing Mother

New Delhi, April 24 – In a significant development in the high-profile Nitish Katara murder case, the Supreme Court of India has granted interim bail to Vikas Yadav, one of the convicts serving a 25-year sentence without remission. The bail is valid until May 8, specifically to allow him to visit his ailing mother, who is to be medically examined by a board of AIIMS doctors.

A bench comprising Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan emphasized the humanitarian aspect while ensuring judicial caution. The Court directed that Vikas Yadav, during this interim bail, must stay confined to his Ghaziabad residence and refrain from contacting any witnesses — especially Neelam Katara, the mother of the victim.

He has been asked to submit a bail bond of ₹1 lakh, with a surety of the same amount.

Background: A Crime That Shook the Nation

The Nitish Katara murder case dates back to 2002 and is widely regarded as one of the most chilling instances of honour killing in modern India. Nitish Katara, a young business executive, was brutally murdered allegedly because of his romantic involvement with Bharti Yadav, the sister of Vikas Yadav.

Vikas, son of former Uttar Pradesh politician DP Yadav, and his cousin Vishal Yadav, were convicted of kidnapping and murdering Katara. The Supreme Court had upheld their sentence in October 2016, awarding 25 years of rigorous imprisonment without remission. A third co-convict, Sukhdev Pehalwan, received a 20-year sentence under similar terms.

Court Reprimands State Authorities

During the latest hearing, the Apex Court also rebuked the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi governments for the delay in constituting a medical board to examine the health condition of Vikas Yadav’s mother. The Bench underlined the need for the State to act in a fair and timely manner, regardless of the convict’s background.

This comes after the Delhi prisons administration had rejected Yadav’s remission request in 2023, citing unsatisfactory conduct during incarceration.

Strict Conditions, Strong Message

While granting interim relief, the Court has sent a strong message — compassion does not mean compromise on justice. The conditions laid out aim to balance humanitarian concerns with the sensitivity and gravity of the case.

This interim bail does not affect the sentence awarded but serves as a temporary relief under exceptional personal circumstances. The next legal step will be guided by the report of the AIIMS medical board and Vikas Yadav’s adherence to the conditions imposed by the Supreme Court.

The Nitish Katara case continues to evoke emotions and debates about honour killings, justice, and the power of influence. With the Supreme Court’s latest decision, the judicial system once again walks a fine line — offering temporary compassion while ensuring justice isn’t diluted.