The matter was slated for further hearing Aug 26.

'Although Vikas is in custody for seven years and Vishal for over four years, the length of their incarceration cannot be a ground by itself for granting bail,' the bench said while relying on the lower court's order of sentencing the cousins to life imprisonment.

Vikas and Vishal had kidnapped Nitish on the night of Feb 16, 2002 from a marriage party in Ghaziabad and killed him. Vikas was opposed to his sister Bharti's intimacy with Katara.

In June last year, Vikas and Vishal Yadav were sentenced to life imprisonment for the killing. They have appealed against the lower court order in the high court.