Sukhdev Yadav, infamously known as Sukhdev Pahalwan and a key convict in the high-profile 2002 Nitish Katara murder case, tragically passed away in a road accident on Tuesday night (October 28, 2025). This somber event in Kushinagar, Uttar Pradesh, occurred a mere four months after his release from two decades behind bars, as confirmed by local police.
Police reports indicate the fatal incident happened when a speeding SUV collided with his motorcycle. At the time of the crash, two other individuals were accompanying Sukhdev on the bike.
The 55-year-old Sukhdev succumbed to his injuries on the spot. His companions, Vijay Kumar Gupta and Bhagwat Singh, sustained severe injuries and are currently admitted to a local hospital for treatment.
Officials from the Madhuria police outpost have seized the SUV involved in the collision. An FIR has been registered against the unidentified driver, and law enforcement agencies are actively pursuing efforts to apprehend the suspect.
Sukhdev, originally from Taruanwa village in Kushinagar, had been sentenced to life imprisonment for his pivotal role in the Nitish Katara murder case in Delhi. His release four months prior marked the completion of his 20-year sentence.
Family members shared their profound sorrow, noting that Sukhdev had returned home with aspirations of rebuilding his life and cherishing time with his loved ones. Poignantly, he had just celebrated the festivals of Diwali and Chhath with his family for the first time in twenty years.
“He was simply on his way back home with friends after visiting a relative when this devastating accident occurred,” shared his son, Nitesh Yadav.
Relatives, reflecting on the Nitish Katara murder case, reiterated their long-held belief that Sukhdev was “falsely implicated.”
His cremation took place on Wednesday evening (October 29, 2025), attended by a significant number of villagers and well-wishers. Police confirmed that no new legal cases had been filed against him since his release, with Station House Officer Ajay Patel commenting, “He had completed his sentence and was living peacefully.”