Delhi High Court Orders Fresh Review of Priyadarshini Mattoo Murder Convict's Release Plea
The Delhi High Court has ordered a fresh review of the premature release plea of Santosh Kumar Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1996 rape and murder of law student Priyadarshini Mattoo. The court set aside a 2023 decision by the Sentence Review Board that had rejected his plea. Singh, initially acquitted by a trial court, was later sentenced to death by the High Court, a sentence the Supreme Court commuted to life imprisonment in 2010.
Unpacked:
Santosh Kumar Singh was initially acquitted by the trial court due to doubts about the integrity of the investigation, evidence handling, and witness credibility. The prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. However, after widespread public outrage and scrutiny, the High Court re-examined the case, found him guilty based on DNA evidence and testimonies, and sentenced him to death, later commuted to life imprisonment.
The Supreme Court commuted Santosh Kumar Singh's death sentence to life imprisonment in 2010, citing mitigating factors and possibly considering the gaps and delays in the investigation and trial. The Court may have also weighed the ‘rarest of rare’ doctrine, under which death penalty is reserved for only the most exceptional cases.
The case highlighted flaws in India’s criminal justice system, especially regarding high-profile accused. The public outrage and media coverage after the initial acquittal led to increased scrutiny of legal processes and demands for reforms to address delays, evidence handling, and witness protection. It also raised awareness about women’s safety.
The Delhi High Court’s decision to order a fresh review signals that earlier decisions regarding Singh’s release may not have adequately considered all legal aspects or evidence. It underscores the continuing legal complexities and public interest in ensuring a thorough and fair review for such high-profile cases.