The Priyadarshini Mattoo Case – When Justice Fought Power
In 1996, the brutal rape and murder of Priyadarshini Mattoo, a 25-year-old law student in Delhi, shocked the nation—not just because of its savagery, but because of the identity of the accused: the son of a senior IPS officer. What followed was not only a trial of a murderer, but a trial of India’s justice system itself, where power and privilege seemed to silence truth—until public outrage turned the tide.
The Incident: From Obsession to Murder
Priyadarshini was a final-year law student at Delhi University. She was known for her intelligence, kindness, and ambition. But behind her focused academic life, she was battling a dark shadow:
Santosh Kumar Singh, a batchmate from her college and the son of a high-ranking IPS officer.
Santosh was obsessed with Priyadarshini. He stalked her relentlessly—following her, calling her, harassing her despite repeated warnings. She even filed police complaints, and the harassment was known to authorities and her college. But no strict action was taken—likely due to Santosh's political and police connections.
On January 23, 1996, Santosh followed her to her uncle’s house where she was living alone. He forcibly entered the premises, raped her, and then strangled her with an electric wire. As if that wasn't enough, he brutally smashed her face with a motorcycle helmet to conceal her identity.
It was a cold-blooded, premeditated murder—by a man emboldened by privilege, and ignored by the very system meant to protect her.
The Trial: Justice Denied, Then Delivered
In 1999, three years after the murder, the trial court shockingly acquitted Santosh Singh, citing “lack of evidence” despite clear forensic proof and motive. The judge even noted in his verdict that Santosh was probably the murderer, but due to lack of proper police investigation, he had no choice but to let him walk free.
This judicial failure sparked public anger.
The CBI filed an appeal, and under intense media and public pressure, the Delhi High Court reopened the case. In 2006, ten years after the crime, the court found Santosh Kumar Singh guilty of rape and murder and sentenced him to death. Later, in 2010, the Supreme Court commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment.
