My report was used as evidence against Santosh- CCMB Director

Jaunpur, Oct 31 (UNI) Dr Lalji Singh, the Director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad and the pioneering scientist in DNA finger printing science, has expressed satisfaction that the court handed Santosh Kumar Singh death penalty in Priyadarshini Mattoo case using his report as an 'evidence'.

The Delhi High Court yesterday held Santosh responsible for raping and killing the 23-year old Delhi law student more than 10 years ago.

Dr Lalji Singh had done DNA testing of the blood and semen samples of Mattoo at CCMB, a premier multidisciplinary institution which is engaged in high quality basic research in the frontier areas of modern biology as well as research relevant to societal needs.

''Yes, I got the samples of blood and semen from the person of Mattoo and Santosh Kumar Singh tested on the request of CBI and found the latter to have raped Mattoo,'' he told UNI here.

Dr Singh said his DNA report was mentioned by the Delhi High Court as an 'evidence' during the trial which ultimately led to the conviction of Santosh.

Describing DNA testing as a 'foolproof' evidence in murder and rape cases, he said nobody could destroy such evidences and the Delhi High Court's verdict vindicated it. Even if the culprits were absolved due to lack of evidences, the DNA test reports could be decider as was in Priyadarshini murder case.

Dr Singh said the capital sentence to Santosh Singh was the most appropriate punishment in this case and should be a deterrent to other criminals.

UNI SB MB VA HT1425