Wednesday, March 22 2006 15:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: With the High Court admitting the Delhi Police appeal challenging the acquittal of nine accused of murdering Jessica Lal, Police Commissioner K K Paul said the court directions would help speed up investigation in the case.

"The High Court has admitted the appeal filed by the Delhi Police, it would help speed up the investigation in the case," he told reporters here.

Assuring strict action against those found guilty, Paul said there was "satisfactory progress" into the investigation into the FIR filed in connection with the destruction, tampering and fabrication of evidence in the aftermath of the ramp model's murder on the night of April 29, 1999.

"Action would be taken against every person found guilty, even against police officers," Paul said.

The Commissioner said police had already registered a case in connection with destruction, tampering and fabrication of evidence at the Mehrauli police station on March six.

"It has been specifically mentioned in the appeal," he said.

"In our prayer we had asked for issuance of non-bailable warrants to arrest the accused," he said.

Jessica was shot dead in the Tamarind Court restaurant owned by Bina Ramani on the night of April 29, 1999, allegedly by Manu Sharma, son of Haryana Minister Venod Sharma.

Besides Sharma, the lower court had acquitted Vikas Yadav, son of Uttar Pradesh politician D P Yadav.

Others acquitted were Amardeep Singh Gill alias Tony, Aloke Khanna (both senior officials in a leading beverages company), Shyam Sunder Sharma (a relative of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma), Harvinder Chopra, Vikas Gill, Raja Chopra, and former Indian cricketer Yograj Singh.