Received many threats, but was determined: Neelam Katara

After a 14-year-long legal battle,

Neelam Katara

(64) finally seems content. She’s pleased that the Supreme Court awarded 25-year jail term to the two Yadav men who murdered her son Nitish in 2002. Sitting in her Chemsford Road railway bungalow, she, however, says that her fight against honour killings isn’t over yet. Neelam, seated in front of a smiling portrait of Nitish that hangs in the centre of her living room, tells

Saurabh Trivedi

about the mental and physical trauma she had to undergo in her lone battle to seek justice for her son.

Sitting here today, after the judment, what are yout memories of the past... For me, everything is as if it all happened just yesterday. I can recount each and every moment from the day Nitish was reported missing till the final judgment of the Supreme Court. I am thankful to the media for their constant support. Otherwise, a lone woman could not have taken her fight to the logical conclusion against such an influential political family with deep criminal nexus.

Don’t you think the judicial trial was too long It was. The judicial system needs to be overhauled. The final judgment came after 14 years; it is not easy for everyone to wait for such a long time. It requires time, money and dedication. I invested all of my retirement benefits and other savings to get justice for my son. I got support from my colleagues when I needed leave to attend the trial proceedings. Finally, the demon has been punished. That too when Dussehra is fast approaching.

Are you satisfied with the quantum of sentence in the case I am happy that the Supreme Court has not treated it like just another murder case as it wasn’t a normal crime, but a well-planned honour killing executed by power-hungry rich people.

Did you feel low at times In 2003, when my husband was dying of a motor neurological disorder and my youngest son was still pursuing his graduation, I had to fight to save our reputation and get justice for my elder son, Nitish.

How did you manage to keep your morale high to carry on with your fight Vishal and Vikas Yadav’s conviction in the case was the biggest achievement for me. It came as a life support for me. D.P. Yadav, the father of the accused, was disowned by his party just four days after the media raised a hue and cry about this gruesome murder. That was my green signal from God. I was not waging this battle on my own.

Were you ever threatened to withdraw the case On several occasions people tried to convince me to withdraw the case as the opponents were very strong. I received several threatening letters. But I was determined to seek justice for my son. I was even threatened that if I took the matter further, my second son would also be killed. But I carried on.

When was the last time Bharti Yadav (Nitish’s girlfriend) contacted you Bharti was in touch with me for the initial three weeks after Nitish was murdered. She wrote a lot of confidential emails and SMSes to me. She was the one who informed me that Nitish had been abducted by her brothers, Vishal and Vikas, from the party. She was first sent to her relatives’ house in Faridabad and then to the United Kingdom.

Do you recall any moment when you felt disappointed There were two friends of Nitish who were also present at the party from where he was abducted by Vishal and Vikas Yadav. But both didn’t turn up to tell the truth to the court. Another setback came when Bharti finally appeared in the court to give her account, but she too backtracked without batting an eyelid. She just gestured “namaste” to me as we crossed each other in the courtroom.

What next Many NGOs working to eradicate the evil of honour killings are in touch with me. I appeal people to let their daughters and sons choose their life partners. Why should we kill our own children Our children should have every right to choose their life partners. Parents need not interfere in every decision taken by their adult children.

Is the present law sufficient to deal with cases of honour killings No, we need special laws for cases of honour killing. The existing IPC Section 302 is not sufficient to deal with a heinous crime like honour killing. Before the Nirbhaya case, there were laws to deal with cases of rape but a new law was drafted as per the present need of the society, similar is the case with honour killings.

You were contacted by Nirbhaya’s mother for consultation After the Supreme Court judgment, I got a call from Nirbhaya’s mother. She is happy for me and even sought my opinion for her daughter’s case which is still pending in the Supreme Court. I just told her never to lose faith and patience.