Priyadarshini Mattoo, a Delhi University law student, was staying in Vasant Kunj area when Singh, son of a senior police officer then posted in Delhi, visited her on January 23, 1996. Priyadarshini was found murdered in her house by her maid after the accused left her flat.

Justice Rajinder Singh Sodhi and Justice P K Bhasin in their order said there was strong circumstancial evidence to convict Singh under Sections 302 and 376 for murder and rape.

The court has set October 30 for hearing on the quantum of sentence, which it indicated could be death or life-term.

The court said the overall analysis of the circumstances and the unimpeachable evidence proved beyond doubt that Singh had committed the crime.

Priyadarshini's father has said that the conviction of Singh is a step in the right direction and that the common man can now breathe with ease. He was speaking soon after Singh was convicted.

"Finally justice has been delivered," an exuberant Chaman Lal Mattoo said over phone.

Terming the conviction of Singh for the rape and murder of Priyadarshani as a "benchmark" for Central Bureau of Investigation officials and trial courts, CBI Director Vijay Shankar on Tuesday said the verdict would go a long way in restoring the people's faith in the criminal justice system.

"The CBI welcomes the long-awaited judgment that the Delhi high court gave on Tuesday. We have pressed for the maximum punishment for the guilty and we will strive for the death penalty for him," Shankar told PTI.

Image: Santosh Kumar Singh (C) is led away by police officials from Delhi high court on Tuesday after being convicted for the rape and murder of Priyadarshini Mattoo.
Inset: Priyadarshini Mattoo.

Photograph : Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images

Also See:
'Crusade will go till its logical end'
Priyadarshani Mattoo Murder Case
Be there. Be there for a Safer India
Has justice been delivered? Tell us

Next