The Hindu : New Delhi News : Bharti Yadav's plea disallowed

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Saturday, Nov 25, 2006
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New Delhi

Bharti Yadav's plea disallowed

Staff Reporter

She had petitioned against trial court order

Bharti Yadav

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday disallowed a petition by Bharti Yadav, a key prosecution witness in the Nitish Katara murder case, seeking quashing of a trial court order allowing Neelam Katara, mother of deceased Nitish Katara, to be present in the court during the deposition by the witness scheduled for November 29.

"I do not understand how the mere presence of Neelam Katara could influence the petitioner who is a mature and educated girl," Justice A.K. Sikri observed in his order.

However, the Court struck down another direction by the trial court directing the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Ghaziabad and the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of New Delhi district to provide security to Ms. Bharti during her journey to and from the court.

Mr. Justice Sikri directed the DCP to take care of the security of the Patiala House court premises only on days when the witness went there to record her evidence.

The Ghaziabad SSP was not required to act, Mr. Justice Sikri stated.

Dismissing Ms. Bharti's plea for disallowing the presence of Ms. Katara in the court during her deposition on Thursday, Additional Sessions Judge Ravinder Kaur had said that she did not find any substance in her plea.

In her application, Ms. Bharti said that the presence of Neelam Katara in the court during the recording of her evidence would cause prejudice to her and she would feel uncomfortable.

Vikas Yadav and Vishal Yadav, brother and cousin of Ms. Bharti, respectively, are facing trial in the case for allegedly kidnapping and killing Nitish Katara.

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