Delhi High Court Directs Release of Former President’s Bodyguard in 2003 DU Rape Case

The Delhi High Court directed the release of Harpreet Singh, a former President’s Bodyguard serving a life sentence in the 2003 gang rape of a Delhi University student, holding that he had shown meaningful reformation during his incarceration.

The case arose from a plea filed by Singh seeking premature release under the Delhi government’s 2004 policy governing life convicts.

The Court said that continued detention despite 21 years of clean conduct, several commendations, and favourable institutional assessments would run contrary to the reformative theory of punishment and violate his right to life and personal liberty.

The Court also held that the Sentence Review Board had rejected his request without giving proper reasons.

[Harpreet Singh v. State (Government of NCT of Delhi)]