Terming the conviction of Santosh Singh for the rape and murder of Priyadarshini Mattoo as a "benchmark" for CBI officials and trial courts, CBI Director Vijay Shanker on Tuesday said the verdict would go a long way in restoring the people's faith in the criminal justice system.
"The CBI welcomes the long-awaited judgement that the Delhi High Court gave on Tuesday. We have pressed for the maximum punishment for the guilty and we will strive for the death penalty for him," Shanker said.
Shanker had made it a personal endeavour to ensure speedy justice in the Mattoo case immediately after taking over as CBI director. "The stand of the CBI has finally been vindicated," he said.
During a meeting Priyadarshini's father Chaman Lal Mattoo in August, the CBI director had given an assurance that everything would be done for speedy justice.
"We in the CBI perceive that this judgement shall be applicable as a benchmark for all investigating officers of the CBI as well as trial courts. We also believe that today's judgement will go a long way in restoring the faith of citizens in the criminal justice system," Shanker said.
"After all the method of investigation by the CBI has been upheld by the Delhi High Court," he said.
{{/usCountry}}"After all the method of investigation by the CBI has been upheld by the Delhi High Court," he said.
{{/usCountry}}Though satisfied with the High Court's verdict, Shanker had some regrets. "If the CBI's appeal had come up for an early hearing, the prolonged agony of the Mattoo family would have been minimised.