Saturday, May 21 2005 15:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: A city civil court is slated to pronounce sentence this afternoon (May 21, 2005) on self-styled godman Swami Shraddhananda, who was convicted yesterday (May 20, 2005) of murdering his wife Shakereh 14 years ago.

Additional City Civil & Sessions Judge B S Totad informed that the judgement has been drafted and it's being typed when the court met earlier today. Later, the matter was posted for 1500 hrs (IST).

Shakereh's relatives are hoping that Shraddhananda alias Murli Manohar Mishra would be awarded capital punishment.

"I am praying for the best, I am hoping for the best (capital punishment)", said Sabah, Shakereh's daughter from the first husband Akbar Khaleeli, a former Indian diplomat.

Sabah was the one who complained to police on the "disappearance" of her mother.

"You can never stop missing Shakereh", Sabah said as she fought back tears. Yesterday, as Shraddhananda, her mother's second husband, was convicted, she broke down. Other family members virtually showed no emotions.

Shraddhananda was charged in 1994 with murdering his wife. She was sedated and buried alive by Shraddhananda more than two years earlier in the courtyard of their bungalow here. He has spent more than 11 years in prison as an undertrial.