Nitish Katara Murder Case: Supreme Court Hears Vikas Yadav’s Plea For Extension Of Furlough
Supreme Court heard Vikas Yadav’s plea seeking extension of furlough in the Nitish Katara murder case
The Supreme Court on Monday heard a plea filed by convicted murderer Vikas Yadav seeking extension of furlough granted earlier in connection with the Nitish Katara murder case.
The bench of Justice B.V. Nagarathna and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan took up the matter, where Yadav’s counsel sought continued release on furlough on grounds of maintaining social ties and family integration.
Senior Advocate Guru Krishna Kumar, appearing for Yadav, submitted that furlough is intended to help convicts maintain social relationships and overcome the monotony of incarceration. He also argued that the petitioner had been recently married and sought time with his family.
The Court, however, questioned the justification for extending furlough for a prolonged period. “Why do you want for one month?” the bench asked during the hearing.
When the counsel responded that it was for maintaining social ties, the Court further enquired about the remaining sentence period. On being informed that Yadav’s 25-year sentence is expected to conclude next year, the bench observed, “There is no remission so no furlough?”
The prosecution strongly opposed the plea, arguing that under amended prison rules, eligibility for furlough is contingent upon a good conduct report and remission status. Senior Advocate Abhinav Mukherji submitted that since Yadav was not entitled to remission at present, he stood disentitled to furlough.
Mukherji also pointed to Yadav’s conduct record, arguing that furlough is a privilege linked to good behaviour, which the respondent allegedly lacked.
The Court also heard arguments distinguishing furlough from parole. The respondent submitted that parole is granted for exigencies, whereas furlough requires stricter eligibility criteria and is based on conduct.
During the hearing, reference was made to past orders and instances of furlough granted in other high-profile cases, including observations made by the Court regarding repeated relief in certain matters.
The bench noted earlier proceedings in which Vikas Yadav had been granted furlough on February 27 and had complied with conditions including surrendering within the stipulated time.
The Court recorded that the present request for extension was strongly opposed by the prosecution and that pleadings were still incomplete, with time sought for filing rejoinders.
Taking note of the submissions, the bench adjourned the matter and directed it to be listed in July for further hearing, with the next date fixed for July 21.
It is to be noted that in February, the Court had granted furlough to Yadav, allowing him temporary release to spend time with his family during Holi. The order had come weeks after the Delhi High Court, on February 11, dismissed Yadav’s plea seeking 21 days’ furlough. The High Court had held that he was convicted for “grave offences” and was “statutorily ineligible” for furlough under the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018. It had also found no arbitrariness, illegality or violation of constitutional rights in the October 29, 2025 decision of jail authorities rejecting his application.
Vikas Yadav, son of Uttar Pradesh politician D.P. Yadav, was convicted in the sensational kidnapping and murder of Nitish Katara, who was abducted from a marriage party on the intervening night of February 16 and 17, 2002. Katara was allegedly targeted due to his relationship with Bharti Yadav, Vikas Yadav’s sister, as the families reportedly disapproved of the inter-caste relationship.
In October 2016, the Supreme Court had sentenced Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal Yadav to 25 years’ imprisonment without remission for their roles in the crime. Co-convict Sukhdev Yadav was awarded a 20-year jail term.
Case Title: Vikas Yadav v. State of NCT of Delhi
Bench: Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan
Hearing Date: May 11, 2026