New Delhi: Santosh Singh's demeanour went from calm composure to nervousness in the seven to eight minutes it took a bench of the Delhi High Court to convict him on Monday for the murder and rape of Pridarshini Mattoo nearly 11 years ago.
As Justices R S Sodhi and P K Bhasin pronounced their verdict, Singh's face turned pale and downcast even as an advocate friend tried to console him.
Earlier, when the clock struck 1400 hrs IST, the lean and dusky Singh, tried and acquitted by a lower court, walked unobtrusively into Court Hall No 35 to hear the the verdict.
Dressed casually in a white cotton shirt and grey trousers, Singh, a lawyer by profession, asked a fellow advocate for a seat in the second row as the hall was packed with journalists, advocates, police officials and some friends of Priyadarashini's.
As time passed, a composed Santosh appeared to turn pensive as he waited for the two judges, who trooped in at around 1415 hrs IST.
Justice Sodhi, speaking for the bench, asked Singh's counsel R K Naseem whether he preferred death or a life term for his client. The counsel replied, "Your lordship, life sentence."
The bench then said it would decide the quantum of punishment on October 30, when the court reopened after the Diwali vacation.
Government counsel Mukta Gupta quickly rose from her seat and urged the court to direct the CBI to take Singh into custody immediately.
The bench then asked CBI staff present in court to take Singh into custody.
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