Nitish Katara case: HC grants custody parole to Vikas Yadav

The Delhi High Court today granted seven days custody parole to Vikas Yadav, serving 30 years jail term without remission for the murder of Nitish Katara, saying the convict will not move out of the territorial jurisdiction of the national capital.
"The petitioner (Vikas) is granted a custody parole for a week. He be taken into custody to his south Delhi farm house and even to meet his lawyer," Justice A K Pathak said, adding that police will always accompany him in plain clothes.
Vikas, son of Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, had sought three-months parole to visit his 93-year-old grandfather who has undergone angioplasty.

He said that he has been in jail for the past 13 years and his conduct has been good throughout.
Vikas also said that he wishes to challenge in the Supreme Court, the high court verdict in the murder case and requires time to prepare his appeal.
He submitted that he had approached the Delhi government to grant him parole under the special rights given to prisoners. However, the state government has declined his request.

Vikas's counsel Sumeet Verma contended that his client was "suffering" as his right under Article 14 (equality before law) is being violated.
Verma submitted that Vikas was not treated on par with other convicts and his plea is pending since August 2014.

Vikas' counsel contended that he is not a terrorist and he be released on parole while imposing any kind on condition the court find proper. He will abide by each and every condition and is even ready to visit the Vasant Kunj south police station on daily basis.
Rajesh Mahajan, representing Delhi Police, vehemently opposed Vikas' plea for parole, saying this kind of suggestion is totally unacceptable.