The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the Delhi government’s Principal Secretary (Home) for failing to act on the remission plea of Nitish Katara murder convict Sukhdev Yadav.
The Supreme Court on Friday issued a contempt notice to the Principal Secretary (Home), Delhi government for failing to decide on the remission plea of Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehalwan, one of the convicts in the Nitish Katara murder case.
The court has directed the official to explain why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him and to appear before the court via video conferencing on March 28.
SC criticises government’s delay in decision-making
Taking a strong stance, the Supreme Court observed that unless the threat of contempt proceedings looms, government authorities do not act on pending cases.
The bench noted that despite clear legal provisions, the Delhi government had not taken any action on Yadav’s remission plea.
Convict seeks remission after 20 years in jail
Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehalwan, convicted in the high-profile 2002 Nitish Katara murder case, has already served 20 years in prison without remission. He moved the Supreme Court seeking early release, citing legal provisions that allow remission under certain conditions.
Next hearing on March 28
The court has now sought an explanation from the Delhi Home Department and directed the Principal Secretary to be present virtually during the next hearing on March 28.
The case remains under close scrutiny, with the Supreme Court signaling that failure to act on remission pleas will not be tolerated.
