Katara case: HC grants Vikas 2 days custody parole

The Delhi High Court today allowed Vikas Yadav, convicted for killing Nitish Katara, to meet his ailing grandfather by granting him custody parole of two days as a test to see if he is "fit to be let out in society".
The court, for the time being, refused to pass any order regarding his plea for three months parole saying, "We need to see your conduct, so we will deliver judgement later on your main plea. We will test this slowly."
A bench of justices Gita Mittal and J R Midha made it clear that Vikas is to be taken by jail authorities to meet his grandfather at 6 am on August 30 and 31 and each day he would be brought back to the prison by 7 pm.

"It will enable you to meet your grandfather who wishes to see you and it will enable us to see how you behave outside. We need to see if you are fit to be let out in society," the bench said.
The court passed the interim order after observing that a witness in the case is residing in Ghaziabad, where Vikas' ancestral home is located, who is even now under police protection as there is apprehension that his life is in danger.
"That person is still getting protection and you will be in close proximity," the bench said.

Advocate Sumeet Verma, appearing for the convict, said that his client's conduct in prison has been satisfactory according to the status report of Delhi Police and added that he is also involved in various creative activities, including arts and crafts as well as writing poetry, inside the jail.

The bench, however, refused to grant three months parole at this stage, saying "these are not tested waters".
"His conduct in prison was satisfactory only after intervention of the court," it added.
Advocate Rajesh Mahajan, appearing for the police, agreed with the court's view saying "it is a fair suggestion".