Bharati Yadav untraced by Indian High Commission

London, Mar 17 (UNI) Bharati Yadav, a key witness in the Nitish Katara murder case, remains untraced by the Indian High Commission here even after the revocation of her passport.

Scotland Yard reportedly refused to cooperate in tracing her on the ground that there was no plea for her extradition.

The cancellation of her passport, which took place on March 6, means Bharti is now stateless. Experts say that if the High Commission had properly informed all the authorities here, including the Immigration service, Ms Bharati would find it impossible to leave England except for India, where she is wanted by the Court.

Her whereabouts are still not known nor is it known if she has changed her passport. If she has not, the cancellation of the passport would automatically invalidate her British visa. She could, then seek asylum, citing possible torture in India if she was sent back. But since there is a non-bailable warrant, it is also possible that an extradition plea, subject to the undertaking that she will not be tortured, could succeed.

Soon after the murder of Nitish Katara in Februray 2002 allegedly by Vikas Yadav, the son of once powerful Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav, Vikas's sister Bharati, came to London, and did not heed to the summons from the Patiala House District Court in New Delhi.

The External Affairs Ministry had requested the high commission to revoke the passport it had issued to Ms Bharati in 2004. The passport was cancelled on March 6 this year and the ministry informed about it.

According to reports, the Indian Home Ministry is considering seeking deportation of Bharati.

UNI XC ARB VD KN1838