Chandigarh, August 28
Of the 13 accused in Bhajan Lal attempt-to-assassination case, six were convicted but only under milder charges and not for an attempt to kill the former Haryana Chief Minister.

After the 10-year-long trial by Haryana, punctuated by change of four judges, the order was finally pronounced at the Model Jail, Burail, here today by Additional and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Sondhi.

Defence counsel A.S. Chahal told The Tribune, "Hakam Singh, Gurjit Singh, Malak Singh, Jagtar Singh Hawara and Kulbir Singh have been convicted of offences under Section 4 of the Explosive Substances Act while Narinder Kaur has been convicted under Section 25 of the Arms Act."

The mediapersons were barred from entering the Burail Jail premises.

Refusing to comment on the merits of the order, he said that quantum of sentence would be pronounced tomorrow.

Later, a convict in this case Narinder Kaur was able to taste freedom, according to sources. She was awarded three years of imprisonment, along with Rs 1,000 fine. As she had undergone the sentence period in the jail during the trial, she was let free.

Convict Jagtar Singh Hawara was alleged to have killed constable Vijay Bhan in this case but he had not been found guilty as the witness was not able explain the facts.

There are around 53 witnesses in this case but most of them turned hostile later.