The Supreme Court on Friday (September 26, 2025) rejected the plea of Vikas Yadav for an extension of interim bail in the Katara case. Yadav, 54, is serving a 25-year sentence for the killing of business executive Nitish Katara in 2002.
A Bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Satish Chandra Sharma heard Yadav’s challenge to a September 9 Delhi High Court order. The High Court had refused to grant him more time on interim bail. Yadav argued that he needed relief to arrange his marriage and mobilise ₹54 lakh, the fine imposed as part of his sentence.
The judges firmly declined the request. They observed that granting bail on personal grounds could set a dangerous precedent. “Now it is marriage, then you will have children, it will go on and on,” the Bench said, stressing that such arguments cannot justify repeated bail pleas.
Senior advocate Guru Krishnakumar represented Yadav. He submitted that Yadav lacked an Aadhaar card, had to collect essential documents, and also needed time to gather funds for the fine. The court, however, dismissed these claims and directed him to continue serving his sentence.
Vikas Yadav is the son of Uttar Pradesh politician D.P. Yadav. His cousin, Vishal Yadav, was also convicted for Katara’s murder. Both opposed Katara’s relationship with Bharti Yadav, Vikas’s sister, citing caste differences as the reason for their hostility. The brutal killing in 2002 shocked the nation and exposed how caste prejudice could drive violent crimes.
Another co-convict, Sukhdev Pehalwan, had been sentenced to 20 years without remission. The Supreme Court ordered his release in July 2025 after he completed his full term.
The ruling signals that the top court will not allow personal excuses to weaken the punishment in serious crimes. It also reinforces judicial consistency in handling long-standing criminal cases.
