Priyadarshini Mattoo rape-murder: Consider afresh case for premature release of convict facing life sentence, HC tells Sentence Review Board

Indian Express

02-07-2025

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday directed the Sentence Review Board (SRB) to consider afresh the case for premature release of Santosh Kumar Singh, who is facing a life sentence for the 1996 rape and murder of 25-year old law student Priyadarshini Mattoo.
Holding the SRB's decision to deny Singh, along with two other prisoners, premature release as suffering from 'material procedural and legal infirmities', the court highlighted several lacunae in the current process undertaken by the board while deciding applications for early release of prisoners.
Justice Sanjeev Narula directed the SRB to convene its next meeting within three months from Tuesday, when the cases of the three petitioners shall be placed for reconsideration 'based on a fresh evaluation of all material and reports,' and a fresh decision shall be rendered within four months.
To ensure adequate deliberation and proper application of mind in each case, the HC directed that the SRB shall take up only as many cases as can be reasonably decided in one meeting, keeping in mind the principles of natural justice reiterated in the present judgment.
Justice Narula also issued a slew of recommendations to better align SRB's processes and ensure informed decision-making for considering the early release of convicts.
Justice Narula recommended that the GNCTD (Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi) and the Department of Prisons 'take expeditious steps to institutionalise the involvement of mental health professionals in the premature release process'. He added that 'a system for psychological assessment of eligible convicts carried out by qualified clinical psychologists or psychiatrists, should be introduced, either by amending the existing framework under the DPR (Delhi Prison Rules) or by issuing appropriate administrative guidelines'.
The order further outlined, '…in appropriate cases, the SRB may also consider calling for independent psychological evaluations, especially where the decision hinges on the convict's likelihood to reoffend. A mere reliance on jail conduct or anecdotal impressions from prison staff does not adequately capture the psychological dimensions of reform and risk.'
It also recommended GNCTD to 'evolve a structured protocol for incorporating victim perspectives in the premature release process', noting that 'a clear procedure should be established to locate, contact, and document the views of victims or their families in a sensitive and time bound manner, ensuring their voices are heard without causing re traumatisation'.
The order suggested the SRB maintain a written record of whether victims' input was received or solicited, and how such input was weighed in the final decision. 'This would enhance transparency, fortify public confidence in the process, and promote a restorative understanding of justice that respects both the rights of convicts and the dignity of victims,' it added.
In four petitions, Singh, along with three other prisoners, had questioned the functioning of the SRB, while seeking directions for their early release.
Singh has already served around 29 years and 11 months in jail with remission and 22 years without remission. Eligible for open jail, he is currently permitted to exit the prison complex daily from 8 am to 8 pm to work as a legal consultant with a real estate company.
Singh, in a 2023 petition, had sought quashing of the recommendation of the SRB rejecting his premature release in a October 21, 2021 meeting. Thereafter, his case was considered in 2024 and again rejected.
Mattoo was raped and murdered in January 1996. Singh, a law student of Delhi University, was acquitted by the trial court in the case on December 3, 1999, but the HC had on October 27, 2006 reversed the decision, holding him guilty of rape and murder and awarded him death penalty. Singh challenged his conviction and death sentence awarded by the HC. In October 2010, the Supreme Court upheld Singh's conviction but commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment.