India, Feb. 28 -- New Delhi

The Supreme Court on Friday allowed Vikas Yadav, convicted for the murder of Nitish Katara in 2002, a temporary release on furlough until March 7 to celebrate the Holi festival with his family.

Yadav, who is the son of former parliamentarian DP Yadav, is serving a 25-year term without remission, of which he has already served 23 years. He approached the top court after his request for a three-week furlough was declined by the Delhi High Court on February 11.

While directing him to surrender on March 7 by 5pm, the court also permitted the complainant, Nilam Katara, mother of the victim Nitish Katara, to seek additional security from the authorities concerned.

Katara's lawyer, Vrinda Bhandari, opposed the gra...