The court has also imposed a fine of Rs 5,000 each on them, in default of which, they would have to further undergo an imprisonment of one more year.

"Keeping in view the nature and gravity of the offence committed by the convicts, they are sentenced to life imprisonment," said Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ludhiana (ASJ) M S Virdi, while pronouncing the verdict.

As per the prosecution, Ram Preet along with Raj Bali were living in the tenement of Diwan Chand at Focal Point in the city. Varinder Sain and Ram Jawahar of Dhandari Kalan were also living in the adjoining rooms.

On the intervening night of June 22 around 1 am, Ram Preet heard some noise. When he woke up, he saw that both the accused were threatening to teach each other a lesson as Raj Bali had assaulted Ram Jawahar’s wife.

Thereafter, Ram Jawahar caught hold of Raj Bali and Varinder slotted the throat of the victim, killing him on the spot. The accused were apprehended red-handed and later handed over to the police.