Justice for Priyadarshini Mattoo: Citizens and Family Oppose Reconsideration of Convict’s Premature Release
Public Appeal to Delhi Home Minister Against Reconsideration
In a powerful letter addressed to Delhi Home Minister Ashish Sood, Hemant Mattoo, brother of Priyadarshini Mattoo, along with concerned citizens and activists, has urged the government to reject any reconsideration for the premature release of life convict Santosh Kumar Singh. The appeal follows the Delhi High Court’s decision to set aside the Sentence Review Board (SRB)’s earlier rejection, asking it to review the matter afresh.
Context of the Conviction: Brutal Rape and Murder
Priyadarshini Mattoo, a law student, was brutally raped and murdered by Santosh Kumar Singh on January 16, 1996. Singh, the son of a senior IPS officer, had allegedly stalked and harassed Mattoo for months. Despite multiple police complaints lodged between February and November 1995, including incidents of stalking, attempted break-in, and assault, the authorities failed to act effectively. Her repeated pleas for protection were ignored.
Singh was initially acquitted by the trial court in 1999, causing public outrage. The matter was appealed in 2000, and in 2006, the Delhi High Court convicted Singh, awarding him a death sentence. However, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment in 2010.
Premature Release Under Scrutiny
Earlier this month, Justice Sanjeev Narula of the Delhi High Court set aside the SRB’s decision, stating that there was "some reformation" seen in Singh. The Court directed the SRB to reconsider Singh’s plea for premature release. This judicial directive has now prompted a larger public and political reaction.
The letter opposing Singh’s release argues that the “good conduct” displayed in prison cannot override the gravity of his crime or his violent pre-prison behavior. The authors remind the Home Minister of Singh’s premeditated and obsessive criminal conduct, which involved threats, stalking, false complaints, and the eventual rape and murder of Mattoo.
Legal and Policy Grounds Cited
The signatories point to the Delhi Sentencing Remission Policy, 2004, which requires a minimum of 14 years of actual imprisonment for life convicts whose death sentences are commuted. More importantly, they cite the Delhi Prison Rules, 2018 (Rules 1244–1259), which classify “murder with rape” as among the most serious offences, warranting a minimum of 20 years before any remission can even be considered.
They also cite a Supreme Court precedent, which states that remission is not an absolute right but a conditional privilege, one that must be denied if public safety or the gravity of the offence outweigh all other considerations.
Citizens and Advocates Join the Call
The letter was signed by prominent citizens including:
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Aditya Razdan and Vivek Raina, Founders of Justice for Priyadarshini Mattoo
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Aditya Raj Kaul and Rhythma Kaul, journalists
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Dhruv Suri, senior lawyer
They argue that allowing Singh’s release would not only damage public faith in the justice system but also set a dangerous precedent at a time when crimes against women remain high. The NCRB recorded over 4.45 lakh crimes against women in 2022, and such a release, they contend, would “embolden perpetrators and deter victims from coming forward.”
A Call for Political and Moral Responsibility
The letter also frames the issue in a larger political and social context. It warns that such a decision could tarnish the record of the BJP-led government in Delhi, especially under the tenure of a female Chief Minister. They write, “This could severely undermine the Centre’s declared commitment to women’s safety and public justice.”
Hemant Mattoo and others emphasize the emotional toll on Priyadarshini’s family, many of whom passed away without seeing justice delivered. Only her brother remains, now again fighting to ensure that the perpetrator of one of India’s most disturbing crimes does not walk free.
Concluding Statement
The signatories conclude their letter with a plea:
“We urge you to uphold the sanctity of justice and public safety by rejecting any reconsideration of Santosh Kumar Singh’s premature release. He must serve his life sentence in full, without remission, in accordance with both the law and the expectations of a society that still seeks justice for Priyadarshini Mattoo.”
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