NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Union Government to issue immediately emergency travel documents to Bharti Yadav, a key prosecution witness in the Nitish Katara murder case, to allow her to travel to India from Britain to depose in the case. Ms. Bharti has been staying in England for more than a year pursing a professional course.

Justice A.K. Sikri pronounced the judgment on a petition by Ms. Bharti seeking issuance of a fresh passport to her so that she could travel to the country to record her statement in the case on November 25.

The Judge directed Ms. Bharti to inform the Government about her date of journey to India. On her arrival, she shall deposit her passport with the Ministry for External Affairs. The Ministry shall issue a fresh passport to her and get an application for visa signed by her and would submit it to the British High Commission the same day.

Issuance of visa

The Government would take up her application for issuance of the visa with the British High Commission on a priority basis so that it was issued within a couple of days. Once the High Commission issued the visa to her, she shall deposit her passport and visa to the trial court. On completion of her testimony, the trial court shall hand over the passport and visa to her.

The judgment further stated that Ms. Bharti would not be detained nor shall she be kept detained for any kind of questioning or be subjected to any surveillance during this period.

Mr. Justice Sikri left it to the trial court to decide whether Ms. Bharti's evidence would be recorded in camera and whether media persons could see the proceedings. He directed the accused persons and their family members and the complainant not to interfere with Ms. Bharti in any manner.

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