The retrial in the murder case of model Jessica Lal has infused hope in the heart of the father of Delhi University student Priyadarshani Mattoo, raped and murdered in 1996, that justice delayed will not be justice denied.

The 71-year-old Chaman Lal Mattoo, who made his first appearance before the media in the national capital Wednesday, said "retrial is all that I want... that justice, though delayed, be done.

"This is not only the case of my daughter but a hope for common citizens of this country who are being oppressed by the high and mighty," Mattoo told reporters.

Flanked by volunteers of 'Justice for Priyadarshani', a group formed by friends of the victim and youth activists, Mattoo said petitions have been sent to President A P J Abdul Kalam, Chief Justice Y K Sabarwal, Delhi High Court Chief Justice (acting) Vijender Jain and Central Bureau of Investigation Director Vijaya Shankar.

Some politicians, cutting across party lines, have also thrown their weight behind the voluntary group and decided to raise the issue in the forthcoming monsoon session of the Parliament.

Priyadarshani was brutally raped and murdered in 1996 and Santosh Kumar, son of an IPS officer was arrested in this connection by the police and later by the CBI. However, the trial court acquitted him for want of evidence.

While acquitting him, the Judge said he was convinced that Santosh had committed the crime but he had to release him for lack of evidence.

Terming Jessica Lal's [Images] case as a wake up call, Matoo said there were sufficient grounds for the retrial of his daughter's case as the "observations made by the trial court on the investigathon done by the CBI gave sufficient ground for it."

Expressing faith in the judicial system of the country, he said, "I am sure justice will be done sooner or later."

Priyadarshini Mattoo's parents, friends and youth activists have decided to start a campaign to get "justice for Priyadarshini". They have filed application under the Right to Information Act seeking details of the progress made by the CBI in the case. Apart from this, a peace march is also being organised on July 23, the birthday of Priyadarshini, at the India Gate by her friends.