Jaipur, April 24 : In a major development in the high-profile Jaipal Poonia murder case, a local court on Friday convicted nine of the eleven accused, while acquitting two due to lack of evidence.

The verdict was delivered by the court of Additional District and Sessions Judge Sundarlal Kharol amid tight security arrangements. The court premises in Kuchaman City were heavily guarded, resembling a police cantonment, with a large deployment of personnel to maintain law and order during the proceedings.

The court found nine accused guilty based on the evidence presented by the prosecution. Those convicted include Moti Singh Chaudhary, Ranjit, Firoz Khan, Sandeep, Tejpal, Rajesh, Krishna Kumar, Haroon, and Rajesh.

Among them, Moti Singh Chaudhary is the elder brother of former MLA Mahendra Singh Chaudhary, who had served as Deputy Chief Whip in the Congress government.

Meanwhile, the court acquitted Kuldeep and Hanuman Saini, granting them the benefit of the doubt due to insufficient evidence. While delivering the verdict, the court reserved its decision on sentencing.

The quantum of punishment and the specific legal provisions under which the convicts will be sentenced are scheduled to be announced on Saturday.

Legal experts and observers are closely watching the case, as the sentencing phase is expected to take into account multiple factors, including the gravity of the offence, the role of each accused, and the broader impact of the crime on public order.

The case has remained under sustained public and political scrutiny, and the sentencing is likely to be seen as a decisive moment in determining the extent of accountability fixed on those found guilty.

The murder dates back to May 14, 2022, when Jaipal Poonia, a local leader associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party Kisan Morcha in Nawa tehsil, was shot dead in broad daylight by assailants who arrived in an SUV.

The brazen nature of the attack, carried out in a public setting, had sent shockwaves across the region and raised serious concerns over law and order. Eyewitness accounts at the time had indicated that the attackers executed the crime swiftly before fleeing, leaving behind a trail of panic and confusion among local residents.

The attackers fled the scene immediately after carrying out the shooting, and the incident triggered widespread outrage across Rajasthan, drawing attention at both the state and national levels.

Political leaders, community groups, and civil society organisations had demanded swift and transparent action to bring those responsible to justice.

Fridayâ??s verdict is being seen as a significant milestone in the protracted legal process, marking progress after nearly two years of investigation and trial.

However, with the sentencing still pending, attention now remains firmly fixed on the final outcome, which will ultimately determine the full course of justice in this high-profile case.

/IANS