The case was first brought to trial in late 1997. On 21 May 2005 the Civil and Sessions Judge B.S. Totad sentenced Swami to capital punishment by hanging. Shradhananda betrayed no emotions as he stood in the dock, his head drooping as always. "From the facts and circumstances of the case, it is clear that the said murder has created such a fear in the minds of the family and in the community to live peacefully in society. There are no mitigating circumstances or factors to award a lesser punishment ... having regard to the nature of the methodology in committing the murder for gain, it is a fit case for capital punishment", the order read.