National

2002 Nitish Katara Murder Case: Vikas Yadav Granted Interim Bail Until May 8 to Care for Ill Mother

Published

11 months ago

April 24, 2025

On Thursday, the Supreme Court granted Vikas Yadav, currently serving a 25-year sentence for the 2002 murder of Nitish Katara, interim bail until May 8. This decision was made to allow him to care for his seriously ill mother. A bench comprising Justice Abhay S Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan instructed that Yadav’s mother should be admitted to AIIMS for a two-day evaluation of her health, with a medical board formed specifically for this purpose.

The bench mandated that the medical board submit its findings to the court by May 7. Additionally, Yadav was ordered to post a bail bond of Rs. one lakh along with a corresponding surety and to remain confined to his Ghaziabad residence.

Yadav is allowed to visit Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad for his mother’s treatment after her admission. He is also barred from contacting any witnesses, including Neelam Katara, the mother of the victim, and law enforcement in Uttarakhand and Delhi has been instructed to ensure their safety.

While considering Yadav’s request for interim bail, the bench emphasized its focus on his mother’s health condition. “We are deliberating on his temporary release solely so he can attend to his mother and ensure she receives appropriate medical care,” the bench stated.

Vikas Yadav has already served 23 years of his sentence. In his plea for interim bail, he indicated that his mother is currently hospitalized at Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad, requiring his support during this critical time. A separate petition regarding the denial of remission benefits to him is also pending before the Supreme Court.

Yadav was convicted in May 2008 for the kidnapping and murder of Nitish Katara, who was targeted due to his relationship with Vikas Yadav’s sister, Bharti. On October 3, 2016, the Supreme Court sentenced both Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal Yadav to 25 years in prison without the possibility of remission for their involvement in the crime, which involved kidnapping Katara from a wedding on the night of February 16-17, 2002, before ultimately killing him.

National

UP Teen Dies in Street Racing Crash In Lucknow

Published

7 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Uttar Pradesh: A 17-year-old Class 12 student died in a road accident during a street race in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday.

The victim, Naitik Kumar, was riding a Royal Enfield Continental GT 650 with a group of bikers near Janeshwar Mishra Park. While racing, he suddenly lost control of his bike after hitting something on the road.

His bike crashed into a Honda Activa in front of him. He then fell onto a road divider and suffered serious head injuries.

The Activa slid across the road and hit another bike, a Kawasaki Ninja, which was moving at high speed. The Ninja rider was adjusting his action camera when the accident happened.

Naitik Kumar was rushed to a nearby hospital, but doctors declared him dead. Police said he was not wearing proper protective gear.

Two others involved in the accident suffered minor injuries. Police are checking CCTV footage to find the exact cause of the crash.

National

BCM Hostel Manager Dies by Suicide

Published

12 hours ago

March 16, 2026

Namma Kudla

Hassan: A hostel manager working under the Backward Classes Welfare Department died by suicide in Channarayapatna of Hassan district.

The deceased has been identified as Lokesh (45). He had been serving as a warden for two hostels in Guddenahalli, Hassan, and was recently promoted as a hostel manager a few days ago. Following the promotion, he was posted as the manager of the BCM hostel in Channarayapatna.

According to reports, Lokesh allegedly died by suicide by hanging himself at his residence on Saturday night.

The exact reason for his suicide is not yet known. Local police visited the spot, conducted a preliminary inspection, and have begun an investigation into the incident.