The eight -- Sanjay, Amarjit Singh, Naresh, Satvir, Virender, Anoop Singh, Vinod Kumar and Naresh -- will now face trial for murder, attempted murder and criminal conspiracy.

The 37 prosecution witnesses will commence deposition against accused persons from July 21.

Of the eight, Anoop, Vinod Kumar and Naresh have been declared proclaimed offenders. Sanjay, Virender and Amarjit Singh are in judicial custody, but Naresh and Satvir are out on bail. Sanjay, the prime accused in the murder has been given police protection.

Saying that his life was in danger -- since three of the accused are absconding -- Sanjay had moved a plea in the sessions court. A head constable armed with a sten gun and a wireless set was given the task of protecting Sanjay.

The judge had also directed the lock-up in-charge to make adequate arrangements for ``the security, protection and safety of life of the accused''. He also directed the officers concerned to depute a sub-inspector or an assistant sub-inspector on the job.

Additional Sessions Judge P.S. Teji held: ``Amarjit Singh, Naresh, Satvir, Virender and Sanjay, along with proclaimed offenders Anoop Singh, Vinod Kumar and Naresh, entered into a criminal conspiracy and, in furtherance of common intention, murdered Ved Singh and Ishwar Singh with a revolver and caused injury to Surinder.''

Ved Singh was shot dead a few days before the Assembly elections on the night of November 10, last year. A murder case was registered at the Nangloi Police Station, subsequent to which the police arrested five persons (Amarjit Singh, Naresh, Satvir, Virender and Sanjay). Based on information from the confessions of the five, the police launched a manhunt for the other three, but have been unable to arrest them.

According to the prosecution story, the prime accused Sanjay, had an altercation with Ved Singh's friend in 1996.

Thereafter, an FIR was registered against Sanjay, who was arrested for the offence. Apparently, Ved Singh's men had gheraoed Sanjay's friend and co-accused, Virender, who reportedly managed to escape.

In 1998, Sanjay reportedly had a fight with another Ved Singh loyalist, Shamsher. He was again arrested for the offence and Sanjay suspected Ved Singh hand in his arrest.

According to the police, Sanjay allegedly decided to get back at Ved Singh. Additional Public Prosecutor, Mahender Singh Sahota argued that Sanjay and Anoop entered into a criminal conspiracy to kill Ved Singh.

On November 9, a day before the murder, the eight accused persons allegedly met at a an old factory in Nangloi, where Anoop had been living temporarily. Here, Sanjay claims he met a thin man of medium height, who said his name was (Sonu), allegedly the hired killer. The group had carefully charted out Ved Singh's movements. Six persons -- Sanjay, Anoop, Vinod, Naresh and Sonu reportedly stationed themselves near a pond near the road that led to Kamruddin Nagar in Mundka Village.

Amarjit was told to keep a tab on Ved Singh's visits and inform them when he approached any place in the vicinity.

At about 9 p.m., Amarjit allegedly called Anoop on his cell phone to say that Ved Singh had left in his Maruti Zen and would be visiting a place near Saini Choppal. At about 10.30 p.m., the six men reached Saini Choppal.

Fifteen minutes later, Ved Singh reached Saini Choppal and proceeded towards the house of a lawyer, Rajender Saini.

Ved Singh's younger brother remained on a scooter, and his two associates went forward to knock at the door. That was reportedly Sanjay's cue -- he signalled to Sonu, who then opened fire on Ved Singh. His associate Ishwar Singh also died on the spot. The accused persons escaped the spot and have allegedly hidden the cellular phone used by Anoop.