The Supreme Court on Thursday granted interim bail to Vikas Yadav, who is serving a 25-year sentence for his conviction in the 2002 Nitish Katara murder.
The relief, however, is limited: Yadav will remain free only until May 8, on compassionate grounds owing to his mother’s deteriorating health.
Medical Examination At AIIMS Mandated
A bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka directed that Yadav’s mother be admitted to AIIMS immediately for a two-day medical evaluation. The court ordered the formation of a medical board tasked with examining her condition, and stipulated that its report be filed with the Supreme Court by May 7.
Strict Bail Conditions & Residence Restriction
To secure his interim release, Yadav must-
- Furnish a ₹1 lakh bail bond with one surety of an equal amount.
- Reside solely at his Raj Nagar home in Ghaziabad.
- Confine his movements to his residence, except to accompany his mother to Yashoda Hospital after her transfer.
- These measures aim to balance Yadav’s family obligations with the court’s need to ensure his availability.
Prohibition on Witness Contact; Security Assurances
The court explicitly barred Yadav from any communication with witnesses in the Katara case, including Neelam Katara, Nitish’s mother. It also instructed the Uttarakhand and Delhi police to extend protection to all witnesses and to Ms. Katara, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding this high-profile matter.
While recording its order, the bench stressed that the bail decision was driven solely by the mother’s illness:
“For the time being, we are considering whether he can be enlarged on bail so that he can meet his mother and ensure that proper treatment is extended to her.”
Justice Oka noted that Yadav has already served 23 years behind bars, but clarified that the court’s intervention was limited to humanitarian considerations.
Background
Vikas Yadav, son of controversial Uttar Pradesh politician D.P. Yadav, was convicted in May 2008 for orchestrating the abduction and killing of business executive Nitish Katara. The victim was kidnapped on the night of February 16–17, 2002, from a wedding party, allegedly as retribution for his relationship with Yadav’s sister, Bharti Yadav, then aged 17.
Court’s 2016 Judgment
On October 3, 2016, the Supreme Court upheld Vikas Yadav’s conviction and imposed a 25-year sentence without remission, along with his cousin Vishal Yadav. The judgment underscored the brutality of the crime and the abuse of political power involved in the kidnapping and murder.
Separately, Yadav has a pending plea before the Supreme Court challenging the denial of remission benefits. That matter remains under consideration, even as the current interim bail addresses only his mother’s urgent medical needs.
With these orders, the apex court has balanced the humanitarian distress of a prisoner’s family with the imperatives of justice, setting clear boundaries to ensure that Vikas Yadav’s temporary freedom does not impede the legal process.
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