Judiciary Rules, OK

Chaman Lal Mattoo, Priyadarshini's father: Finally justice has beendelivered. I can't express myself. I have no words to express how I feel.Justice has been done. Common people in the country can now breathe with ease.This is a step in the right direction. My daughter cannot come back. But atleast, her soul will be in peace today.

It’s the young boys and girls of this country who kept this case alive.There may be judicial lapses but justice has finally prevailed. This judgementis a stepping stone for all those cases that are waiting for justice.

Hemant Mattoo, Priyadarshini's brother: To be honest. I had lost hope,the next day of the crime, because of the way it (investigation in the case) washandled....The way they (investigators) were going around doing the business. Ihad lost hope. I have been more hopeful than I was on day two of the crime.(After the media's attention and support from other quarters).

There was a lot of pressure on law enforcement agencies like the police evenbefore the crime was committed. There was pressure on the police to let SantoshSingh off many times (even after a complaint of harassment had been registeredagainst him). There was complete partiality and favouritism even before thecrime.

My father relentlessly fought for Priyadarshini. It’s a day of reckoningfor him because somehow he always felt that he had let his beloved daughterdown.

Vijay Shanker, CBI Director: The CBI welcomes the long-awaitedjudgement that the Delhi High Court gave today. We have pressed for the maximumpunishment for the guilty and we will strive for the death penalty for him.

The stand of the CBI has finally been vindicated. We in the CBI perceive thatthis judgement shall be applicable as a benchmark for all investigating officersof the CBI as well as trial courts. We also believe that today's judgement willgo a long way in restoring the faith of citizens in the criminal justice system.

After all the method of investigation by the CBI has been upheld by the DelhiHigh Court. If the CBI's appeal had come up for an early hearing, the prolongedagony of the Mattoo family would have been minimised.

Ashok Bhan, CBI lawyer: The DNA debunked by the trial court clinchedthe evidence against Santosh Singh.

B.L. Wali, Priyadarshini's lawyer: The High Court has finally givenhis pronouncement on the case. There are two options that the court has atpresent – death penalty or life imprisonment. Now, the court has to decidewhether this is the rarest of rare case or not. The CBI has said that since shewas brutally murdered this case falls in the rarest of rare case.

The matter has been adjourned till the October 30. Santosh Singh was presentin court and has been taken into custody. The HC judge has set aside the trialcourt’s order as perverse. Justice has been delayed but it finally prevailed.Santosh Singh can appeal in the Supreme Court and it is up to the court toaccept or reject his appeal.

Indu Jalali, close friend of Priyadarshani: Though delayed, atleast justice has been done. Today is the victory of the Indian judicial systemand victory of the entire media, and the entire nation who stood behind us inthis fight against injustice.

Adityaraj Kaul, member, 'Justice for Priyadarshini' campaign: We havefaith in judiciary and this faith has increased 100 per cent. We never expectedsuch a great response from judiciary as well as from the CBI.

Agnisheker, family friend: I am very happy. Santosh is found guilty onboth the accounts -- rape and murder. I know the family very well. Priyadarshinibelonged to a very respectable family and it has gone through a very bad phasein last ten years by not receiving justice. Finally, they have something to feelgood about.

Neelam Katara, Nitish Katara's mother: My faith in the judiciary hasbeen proved right after the verdict. However, the delays in such (murder) casesare frightening and can weaken the case of the prosecution. I am happy forChaman Lal Mattoo. It is sad that he had to suffer a lot. Now, we can hold ourheads up and say that justice has been done with their family.

People who have money can delay the case in so many ways. Now in my case, themain witness was sent abroad two years ago and she is still to depose. At leastthe family of the victim should be allowed to be part of the trial so thatthey get a say in the court proceedings.

Sabrina Lall, Jessica Lall's sister: All of us are pleased at theverdict. It is good that higher courts are appreciating the evidence, which isdiscredited by the lower courts, in the cases. The higher courts are alsolooking at these evidence fairly.

From agencies