The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over the Sentence Review Board's (SRB) decision to deny premature release to Santosh Kumar Singh, who is serving a life sentence for the 1996 rape and murder of law student Priyadarshini Mattoo. Justice Anup Jairam Bhambhani noted that the SRB's rejection seemed influenced by 'public perception' rather than objective criteria. Singh's counsel argued that he has spent 31 years in custody and has been housed in an open jail, emphasizing the need for a fair evaluation of his case. The court highlighted the importance of reformation and noted that other convicts, such as Sushil Kumar from the 1995 Tandoor murder case, had been released after lengthy sentences. The hearing for Singh's case was moved up to April 20, 2023, from its original date of May 18, 2023. The court's remarks reflect an ongoing debate about balancing public sentiment with the principles of justice and rehabilitation.