Manu Sharma, prime accused in the Jessica Lal [Images] murder case, was granted bail by the Delhi high court along with seven others. The accused were asked to notify the Delhi police and seek the permission of the court before leaving the country.

The court issued non-bailable warrants against Vikas Gill who was not present in the court. Delhi police told the court that the summons could not be served to Gill at his Rohtak address as he was not there.

Sabrina Lal, sister of Jessica Lal, who was present in the court at the time of the hearing expressed her satisfaction at the proceedings.

Police allege Jessica Lal was murdered on April 30, 1999 by Manu Sharma who fired at her from point blank range after she refused to serve him a drink.

She was acting as a bartender for the noted socialite Bina Ramani at her illegal restaurant Tamarind Court in Qutub Colonade when the incident took place.

The court directed the Delhi police to expedite the translation work and submit the same at the earliest.

Sharma and eight other accused were acquitted on February 21, 2006 by a Delhi court but on March 22, 2006 warrants were issued against the accused following the hearing of a review petition filed by Delhi police on the matter.

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