Priyadarshini Mattoo's friends demand retrial

New Delhi, Jul 10 (UNI) A group of friends of Priyadarshini Mattoo today said they will organise a demonstration at India Gate here on July 23 seeking retrial in the case of rape and murder of the 23 year-old.

''The Mattoo case has been pending in the Delhi High Court for the last six years. Till date no concrete step has been taken to deliver justice,'' Priyadarshini's schoolmate Indu Jalali told reporters.

Addressing a press conference, Indu and her friends Aditya Raj and Aditya Razdan said they would also seek the support of Resident Welfare Associations, NGOs and Delhi University students for the July 23 event.

Similar protest programmes were scheduled in Pune, Mumbai, Jammu and Srinagar also on that date, they said.

''We have sent our appeal to the Chief Justice of Delhi High Court and the CBI Director for early intervention so that justice is finally delivered to Mattoo's parents as well as her thousands of friends,'' Ms Indu said.

Priyadarshini Mattoo, a law student, was raped and murdered at her residence here on January 23, 1996. Main accused Santosh Kumar Singh, son of a senior IPS officer, was acquitted of the charges in December 1999.

''Though I know he is the man who committed the crime, I acquit him, giving him the benefit of doubt,'' Mr G P Thareja had said in his judgement.

UNI VN PA HT1712