The Delhi high court on Monday ordered the police to complete within two months the probe into the bungling of evidence that eventually led to the acquittal of all the nine accused in the Jessica Lal [Images] murder case.

The bench also reiterated that it would take up the appeal proceedings only after completing hearing in the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case and three other death reference cases pending before the court.

The court directed the Special Investigation Team of the Delhi police to probe the circumstances leading to the bungling of evidence, ultimately acquitting the nine accused in the case, within two months.

A division bench of Justice R S Sodhi and Justice P K Bhasin, however granted exemption to all the accused from attending the appeal proceedings, which formally commenced no Monday.

The bench also ordered declaring one of the absconding accused Vikas Gill as a proclaimed offender and attach his properties.

The clarification comes in the wake of the plea made by defence counsels for giving priority to the Jessica Lal case so that the matter could be expedited.