Describing the death sentence given to Santosh Kumar Singh in the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case as "historic", activists campaigning for justice on Monday said finally the case has reached its logical conclusion.

"I think the courts have recognised that cases like these cannot be abetted unless given a strong punishment. I hope this verdict will act as a deterrent in the future," Neelam Katara, fighting for justice for her slain son Nitish, said.

Katara told PTI she has full respect for the decision of the judiciary. She, however, refused to comment on her fight for justice saying the matter was sub-judice.

Priyadarshini's friend Indu Jalali said she was happy that justice had been done. "I am very happy. But then this proves that justice has come its logical end and he (Santosh) has got what he deserves," Jalali said.

She said if Singh chose to move Supreme Court in the case, Priyadarshini's friends and supporters would fight him out there too.

"I think it is an amazingly landmark decision. A decision which will put the fear of death and lots more in the people who use power over a less powerful person or a woman," actor Anupam Kher [Images] said applauding the court's decision.

Terming the sentence as "historic", Aditya Kaul, a member of 'Justice for Priyadarshini', said it will set a precedent in such cases and will act as a deterrent in the future.

Asked about the possibility of an appeal by Singh in the case, he said, "It does not matter and the judgment given by the Delhi high court was very strong."

The Delhi high court had convicted Singh on October 17, 2006, for raping and killing Mattoo at her Vasant Kunj flat in southwest Delhi on January 23, 1996.