They include Navjot Kaur (Nishan Singh’s mother), former Akali councillor Maniderjeet Singh (alias Dimpy Samra), Rajwinder Singh (alias Ghali), Toofan Singh (alias Toofani), Pardeep Singh Popi, Amana Tyrewala and Varinder Singh (alias Dhalha).

The court sentenced Nishan Singh to two life terms for kidnapping and raping the 15-year-old girl twice — on June 25, 2012, and September 24, 2012. The sentences would run concurrently. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 24,000 on Nishan and Rs 15,000 each on the nine other convicts.

Despite being arrested on October 21 last year, Nishan Singh continued to make threatening phone calls to the victim’s family and witnesses, pressuring them not to depose against him.

The victim had to undergo abortion after she was rescued from the clutches of Nishan Singh. Since Nishan Singh was an influential person, the police tried to shield him, the victim told the court.

The police got into action following public outrage after the second attempt was made to kidnap the girl at gunpoint on September 24 last year. She was dragged out of her house and bundled into a car in full public view. The culprits fired shots to intimidate the neighbours and onlookers from coming to the rescue of the girl.