In Odisha, seven persons have been convicted in connection with Swami Laxmananda Saraswati's murder case. The Phulbani additional district & sessions court today found the seven guilty and reserved order for pronouncement of the quantum of punishment for the 3rd of next month.

AIR Correspondent reports that the seven accused persons in the Swami Laxmananda Saraswati's murder case have been convicted under different provisions of IPC for offences including rioting with deadly weapons and unlawful assembly besides murder and criminal conspiracy. They were also held guilty under several provision of the Arms Act.

The additional district and sessions court of Phulbani is scheduled to deliver the verdict in case of two other accused in the case tomorrow. The Kandhamal district administration has tightened security in and around the court after the judgement in view of tension.

Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his followers were gunned down on 23rd of August 2008 while celebrating Janmastami festival at Jalespata Ashram of Chakapada in tribal-dominated Kandhamal district. It had led to widespread communal violence in Kandhamal claiming at least 38 lives, burning of several houses and damage to many churches.