As the family of Bharti Yadav did not approve of their relation, the court held murder of Nitish Katara- a case of honour killing. But, on 30th May, 2008 the trial court found Vikas and Vishal Yadav guilty and awarded them life sentence. On April 2nd, 2014, Delhi High Court upheld the Trial Court verdict of life imprisonment to the accused.

Katara had received threats several times but as he was an idealist, and believed in “standing up to injustice”, he did not move back. On 17th February, 2002 the couple (Nitish Katar and Bharti Yadav) were present in a common friend's wedding, where Yadav's brother, Vikas, and a cousin were present as well.

From there, Katara was taken for a drive by Yadav's brother Vikas Yadav and Vishal Yadav, never to return back. After three days, Katara's body was found beside the highway (his body was battered to death with a hammer, diesel poured on him, and even was set ablaze).