Yadavs jittery after Bharati’s return

She would have deposed against her brothers much earlier had she been here, says Neelam Katara

Two days after Bharati Yadav, a key prosecution witness in the Nitish Katara murder case arrived in India, panic seems to be setting in the accused camp. D P Yadav, UP strongman and father of Bharati and accused Vikash Yadav, told a television channel that Bharati was not in India and that she would arrive a day before her deposition on November 29. Apart from lying about his daughter's presence, his goons also bashed up journalists who had gathered at his Gaziabad residence on Saturday.

A case against unnamed persons was filed in a Gaziabad police station by a NDTV reporter on Saturday. Citing DP Yadav's lie about his daughter's presence in India, Subhas Bhuttan, Bharati's lawyer said that manhandling of journalists shows how jittery the Yadav family is at the moment. These are signs of nervousness and can be attributed to the uncertainty of Bharati's deposition.

Neelam katara, on her son's alleged murder by Bharati's brothers, Vikash and Vishal Yadav, in 2002 had told DNA on Saturday that she was sure Bharati would depose against her brothers. "I know she will stand by truth," she told DNA. And if this happens, the case would certainly go against Yadav family. Bharati Yadav, who was course mate of Nitish Katara at IMT Gaziabad, was romantically involved with him and this was abhorred by the Yadav family.

On February 16 2002, Nitish was whisked away by Yadav brothers in front of Bharati from a wedding party in Gaziabad. Four days later, Nitish's badly burnt body was found in Bulandasahar. The Yadav brothers were later arrested. However, Bharati, who was listed as prime witness by the persecution was sent to London immediately.

Despite courts numerous summons, Bharati was unavailable for her testimony. Finally, she agreed to return after the court began the proceedings of declaring her as proclaimed offender.

Nitish's mother Neelam says Bharati would have deposed against her brothers had she been here earlier. "She was in love with Nitish and despite family pressure, she had come forward to marrying Nitish," she said. Even after she was forcibly sent to London, she kept in touch with Neelam over email.