Supreme Court Orders Release of Convict

The Supreme Court has ordered the release of Sukhdev Yadav, also known as Pehelwan, one of the three convicts in the notorious Nitish Katara murder case. This decision has deeply upset Neelam Katara, the mother of the victim, who has been a relentless advocate for justice following her son’s tragic death. The court’s ruling allows Yadav to walk free after serving a 20-year sentence, a decision Neelam Katara describes as a “complete miscarriage of justice.”

Mother’s Reaction to the Verdict

In an exclusive interview with NDTV, Neelam Katara expressed her dismay over the court’s decision. She acknowledged that while it is customary for convicts to be released upon completing their sentences, she believes that Yadav’s sentence was not fully served. She criticized the Supreme Court’s judgment as “shocking” and “biased,” emphasizing that it undermines the fairness of the judicial process.

Court’s Detailed Order and Exceptions

The Supreme Court issued a detailed order stating that convicts who have completed their sentences should be released immediately, without requiring any additional review or special order. However, this does not apply to life sentence convicts who must remain incarcerated unless granted remission by the Sentence Review Board.

Contention Over Sentence Duration

The crux of the issue lies in the interpretation of Sukhdev Yadav’s sentence. Initially sentenced to life imprisonment with no remission for 20 years, Yadav’s release was contested when the Sentence Review Board denied remission due to his conduct during incarceration. Despite this, Yadav challenged the decision in court and was eventually granted release.

Historical Context of the Case

Nitish Katara, aged 23, was brutally murdered in 2002 due to his relationship with Bharti Yadav, daughter of former Rajya Sabha MP DP Yadav. Alongside Sukhdev Yadav, Bharti’s brother Vikas Yadav and cousin Vishal Yadav were also convicted. In 2016, the Supreme Court sentenced Sukhdev to a 20-year term and Vikas and Vishal to 25 years without furlough.