Priyadarshini Mattoo murder: Delhi HC seeks review of early release rejection

The court ruled that the SRB’s 2024 decision was passed without proper application of mind or a reasoned assessment of Singh’s reformative progress. In a detailed judgment, justice Sanjeev Narula came down hard on the SRB, criticising its vague reliance on an indeterminate “etcetera” while listing the grounds for rejection, and terming its reasoning that prison conduct is no indicator of post-release behaviour “deeply problematic”.

The judge held that the SRB’s decision suffered from “patent illegality” and failed to evaluate Singh’s demonstrated efforts toward reformation, including his educational achievements, documented good conduct, participation in rehabilitation programmes, and his current placement in an open prison.

While refusing to grant immediate release to Singh, the court remanded the matter back to the SRB, directing it to hold a fresh meeting within three months and deliver a reasoned decision within four months.