The Supreme Court, while hearing Vikas Yadav’s plea for interim bail in the 2002 Nitish Katara murder case, pulled up the Delhi government for its firm opposition.

The Court questioned whether the state would take responsibility if Yadav’s critically ill mother, currently in the ICU, were to suffer further without his presence.

Yadav, who is serving a 25-year sentence, has sought temporary release to attend to his mother, Umesh Yadav, who is in urgent need of surgery. His counsel argued that he has already spent 23 years behind bars and that his presence was crucial during this medical emergency.

Opposing the plea, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Delhi government, raised concerns about Yadav’s influential background and his prior misuse of medical bail. She contended that the relief sought should be denied to prevent potential abuse of the legal concession.

The bench, comprising Justices Abhay S. Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan, appeared inclined to grant the relief. “This is not done,” the Court observed. “This man has undergone 23 years in jail. Are we not empowered to grant temporary bail keeping in mind the condition of his mother? What is the fault of the mother? Will you take responsibility if something happens to her?”

The Court also criticized the delay in forming a medical board to assess the mother’s health despite earlier directions. It expressed concern over the 10-day lag in compliance by both the Uttar Pradesh and Delhi governments, calling the inaction a serious lapse.

The matter will be taken up next on April 24. The Apex Court’s pointed observations underscore the delicate balance between safeguarding legal safeguards against misuse and addressing genuine humanitarian concerns. The Court’s remarks signal a possible inclination to grant interim bail, likely with stringent conditions, to allow Yadav to attend to his mother’s critical health needs.