The Supreme Court questioned the Delhi government’s move to hold convict Sukhdev Yadav beyond his 20-year sentence in the Nitish Katara murder case. The bench warned, “Each day’s detention will be illegal.”
NEW DELHI: Today, the Supreme Court of India raised serious concerns over the continued detention of Sukhdev Yadav alias Pehalwan, one of the convicts in the 2002 Nitish Katara murder case. The top court said that keeping a person in jail even after completing the legally fixed sentence is not permissible, as it would violate the fundamental right to personal liberty.
A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan was hearing a matter related to the release of Yadav, who was sentenced to 20 years in jail without remission. The court expressed surprise over the submission made by the Delhi government, represented by Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Archana Pathak Dave, which stated that Yadav could not be released automatically even after finishing his sentence.
Reacting strongly to the stand taken by the Delhi government, the Supreme Court firmly stated,
“We are dealing with liberty of an individual.” The bench reminded the government that the convict’s sentence had already been affirmed by all levels of the judiciary, including the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court itself.
The judges further explained that when a fixed-term sentence is given to a person, once that term ends, he cannot be kept in prison without a legal basis.
The court clearly stated,
“The conviction has been upheld by the high court upto the Supreme Court. The fixed term is given.” They emphasized that holding someone in custody beyond their lawful sentence would be a violation of their rights.
The bench strongly remarked,
“If we find that he has been kept in detention beyond what is legally permissible. That detention would be illegal detention. Each day’s detention will be illegal.”
This case has again brought into focus the importance of individual liberty guaranteed by the Constitution of India, especially under Article 21 which protects the right to life and personal freedom. The Supreme Court’s remarks serve as a strong reminder to authorities that the law must be followed strictly, and no individual can be unlawfully deprived of their freedom.
The Nitish Katara murder case, which shook the nation in 2002, involved the brutal killing of a young man by individuals from an influential political background. Sukhdev Yadav, along with others, was convicted for his role in the crime and was awarded a fixed sentence of 20 years without the benefit of remission.
The Supreme Court’s clear position on the matter,
that each day of extra detention will be considered illegal — may have significant implications for the case and the future of prisoner rights in India.
Now that his sentence period is completed, the court is examining whether there is any valid ground to keep him in custody any further.
The matter will continue to be heard as the bench examines further details regarding the execution of the sentence and the steps taken by the Delhi government.
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