The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected prosecution's death plea for Nitish Katara's murderers Vikas Yadav and two others and instead awarded life term to all the three for kidnapping and killing the business executive in 2002.
A special Bench of justices Gita Mittal and JR Midha delivered their judgement on 6 February after they concluded the hearing on 8 December 2014.
The HC Bench awarded life term to Uttar Pradesh politician DP Yadav's son Vikas Yadav and his cousin Vishal Yadav without remission for 25 years, while Sukhdev Pehelwan has to serve life imprisonment for 20 years without remission.
In addition to the above mentioned punishment, the HC has awarded five-year jail term to all the three for destruction of evidence in the case, according to a PTI report.
The HC has also slapped a fine of ₹50 lakh each on Vikas and Vishal, according to Hindustan Times.
Nitish's mother Neelam Katara said she was happy with HC's judgement, but will approach the Supreme Court to appeal for death penalty for the murderers of her son.
"We are happy that the court has awarded them an enhanced sentence. After reading the judgment we will approach the Supreme Court appealing that they should be given death penalty," Neelam said.
The trio abducted and murdered Nitish early on 17 February 2002, for having an affair with Bharti, daughter of DP Yadav and sister of Vikas and Vishal.
