Delhi HC Orders Verification Of Murder Convict’s Wedding Date After Nitish Katara’s Mother Alleges Perjury

Nitish Katara

The Delhi High Court on Friday was urged to initiate perjury proceedings against Vikas Yadav, a convict in the Nitish Katara murder case, for allegedly lying about the date of his recent marriage to secure interim bail.

Nilam Katara’s Plea

Katara’s mother, Nilam Katara, alleged that Yadav got married in July 2024, not on September 5 as he claimed in court. She accused him of producing false evidence to mislead the court and obtain bail benefits.

Nilam submitted photographs to support her claim and urged the court to act against Yadav under Sections 227, 231, 234 and 235 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for intentionally making false statements under oath and fabricating evidence.

Court’s Directions

Justice Ravinder Dudeja sought Yadav’s response to the allegations and directed the Delhi Police to verify the contents of Nilam’s application, including the photographs placed on record. The police have been asked to file a status report.

The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 9.

Arguments from Both Sides

Advocate Vrinda Bhandari, representing Nilam Katara, argued that Yadav presented fabricated information to the court and highlighted that the photographs clearly showed a marriage ceremony held at “The Aura” in Noida’s Sector 74 in July.

In response, Yadav’s counsel denied the claims, stating that the photographs submitted by Nilam were from his engagement ceremony, not his wedding. The lawyer added that even the Supreme Court had been informed about the engagement.

Background of Bail Plea

Vikas Yadav is currently serving a 25-year sentence without remission for the murder of business executive Nitish Katara in 2002. He was granted interim bail by the Supreme Court earlier this year to care for his ailing mother.

On September 9, however, the Delhi High Court dismissed his plea for an extension of that interim bail, which he had sought on the ground of his “recent marriage.”

Nilam Katara has now claimed that this was a false statement, made solely to gain undue benefit from the judicial system.

The Nitish Katara Case

Vikas Yadav, son of Uttar Pradesh politician D.P. Yadav, and his cousin Vishal Yadav were convicted for the kidnapping and murder of Nitish Katara.

The duo opposed Katara’s relationship with Bharti Yadav, Vikas’s sister, as they belonged to different castes. The case, which drew widespread national attention, has often been cited as a brutal example of an “honour killing.”