The Supreme Court has issued a contempt notice to the Principal Secretary of Delhi’s Home Department for failing to act on the remission plea of Sukhdev Pehalwan, a convict in the high-profile Nitish Katara murder case. Expressing sharp disapproval, the Court remarked that its directives appear to be ignored unless contempt proceedings are initiated.
A bench of Justices Abhay Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered the official to explain why contempt proceedings should not be pursued against him. The Court also directed him to be present via videoconference for the next hearing on March 28.
“Is there an unwritten rule in the Delhi government that Supreme Court orders are not to be followed within the stipulated time?” the Court asked, questioning the delay in processing Pehalwan’s remission request.
Katara, a business executive, was murdered in 2002 in what was labeled an “honour killing.” Vikas Yadav, the son of a former MP, had opposed his sister’s alleged relationship with Katara. Vikas Yadav, Vishal Yadav, and Sukhdev Pehalwan were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in 2008. The Supreme Court later upheld the sentences, ensuring Vikas and Vishal serve 25 years and Pehalwan 20 years without remission.
Pehalwan’s plea for remission was filed in December, and the Supreme Court had directed a decision by March 3. However, the Delhi government failed to comply, prompting the Court’s sharp rebuke and contempt action.