New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that Bharti Yadav, an important witness in the Nitish Katara murder case, could get her passport back if she deposed before the court on November 23.
The High Court suggested to the Ministry of External Affairs that a fresh passport should be given to Bharti if she promises that she will come to India by the given date.
The court has also suggested that the passport should be kept under Government’s or court’s custody till the time Bharti actually deposes.
Meanwhile, her lawyers have been given time till Thursday if the above conditions are acceptable.
Justice A K Sikri observed that Bharti Yadav's deposition was the main condition for the authorities to return her passport.
Bharti has been served 16 summons and many bailable and non-bailable warrants have been issued against her.
If she fails to appear on the designated date, she would, in all probability, bracketed as an offender – a rare case where a witness is labeled an offender.
Bharti is the main witness in the murder of Nitish Katara and her testimony is believed to be crucial for proving the motive behind Katara's murder.
She had left India immediately after Nitish's murder in February 2002.
It was Bharti's friendship with Nitish Katara and the disapproval of this friendship by Bharti's brother, Vikas Yadav, which allegedly led to Katara's murder.
She has not appeared before the court since then despite repeated summons, bailable and non-bailable warrants.
She is purportedly pursuing studies in London and her passport was revoked on March 7 this year.
Comments
0 comment