Tue Jul 01 06:36:20 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article based on it:

**Summary:**

The Delhi High Court has overturned the Sentence Review Board’s (SRB) decision to deny Santosh Kumar Singh, convicted of the 1996 rape and murder of Priyadarshini Mattoo, premature release. The court cited elements of reformation in Singh and referred the case back to the SRB for fresh consideration, emphasizing the need for psychological assessments of convicts in such sensitive cases. Singh has served 25 years, including time in open jail.

**News Article:**

**Delhi High Court Orders Reconsideration of Priyadarshini Mattoo’s Murderer’s Premature Release Plea**

**New Delhi – July 1, 2025** – The Delhi High Court today overturned a decision by the Sentence Review Board (SRB) denying premature release to Santosh Kumar Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1996 rape and murder of law student Priyadarshini Mattoo.

Justice Sanjeev Narula ruled that the SRB must reconsider Singh’s plea, citing evidence of reformation. The court emphasized the importance of psychological assessments for convicts seeking premature release in sensitive cases. This assessment was reportedly absent in the SRB’s initial review.

“The Court has found elements of reformation in him,” Justice Narula stated, “The SRB decision is set aside, and I have referred the matter back to SRB for fresh consideration.” The judge also issued specific guidelines for the SRB to follow in future cases of this nature.

Singh, a former law student, was initially acquitted by a trial court in 1999. However, the Delhi High Court overturned the acquittal in 2006, finding him guilty of rape and murder and sentencing him to death. The Supreme Court later upheld his conviction but reduced the sentence to life imprisonment in 2010.

Singh’s counsel argued that he has served 25 years, including remission, and has been living in an open jail for several years. They contend that he could be a productive member of society. The SRB had previously rejected his plea for premature release, even after a meeting held as recently as September 18, 2024.

The case of Priyadarshini Mattoo, a 25-year-old law student, shocked the nation in 1996 and remains a landmark case in Indian legal history. The Delhi High Court’s decision to order a reconsideration of Singh’s release is likely to spark renewed debate on the balance between punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety.

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