In 2007, a special POTA court had sentenced the main accused from Hyderabad, Asgar Ali, to life imprisonment, while handing out life imprisonment to seven others, 10-year jail term to two and five years imprisonment to one. They were all held guilty of murder and conspiracy to spread terror in the case of Pandya's murder and attempted murder charges in the case of VHP leader Jagdish Tiwari. A lot of controversy followed his murder and top BJP Leaders such as Chief Minister Narendra Modi and the then Deputy Prime Minister of India Lal Krishna Advani were under intense criticism from within the Sangh Pariwar and general public for sidelining Haren Pandya, and not providing him proper security despite threats to his life, and his request for security cover.