Justice delayed, but done

The Telegraph, Kolkata, reports:

A decade after the Delhi University student was raped and murdered at her home, and seven years after the accused had walked free from the trial court, Delhi High Court found Santosh Kumar Singh guilty of both crimes.

Priyadarshini Mattoo, a law student, was raped and murdered by Santhosh Singh, son on a Police Officer, on 23 January 1996. The lower court had given Singh benefit of doubt and acquitted him, due to lack of evidence . The additional sessions judge G.P. Thareja had observed in his judgeement, “At last it is felt that approach and working of subordinate staff of the Delhi police suggests that the rule of law is not meant for those who enforce the law nor for their near relatives.’’ What could be more shameful.

The Delhi High Court has overruled lower cour's order and convicted Singh. Santhosh Singh must be given death penalty. It is indeed sad that what seems to be an open and shut case, had dragged for 10 long years. Had it not been the relenless preservance of Shri Chaman Lal Mattoo, Priyadharshini's father, the case may not have come to its logical conclusion. Well, justice is delayed, but seems to have been done. The verdict of penality, either life imprisonment or death, will be pronounced on October 30.

Update (Oct. 31) The Delhi High Court has given Santosh Kumar Singh the death sentence for raping and murdering Priyadarshini Mattoo. Read more ...