Rearrests over India model murder

Eyewitnesses said Ms Lal was shot for refusing to serve a drink

A court in the Indian capital, Delhi, has issued warrants for the rearrest of nine men, just weeks after they were acquitted of murdering a model in 1999.

The High Court also ordered all nine not to leave the country and to appear in court on 18 April.

Prosecutors in the trial said model Jessica Lal was shot dead by Manu Sharma, a Congress politician's son.

Last month the court acquitted all nine citing insufficient evidence, leading to a public outcry.

It's a correct verdict. The accused will remain on bail Defence lawyer Ram Jethmalani

The court's order came after it accepted an appeal by Delhi police challenging the acquittals.

A decision on whether to hold a retrial will be taken after the 18 April hearing.

'Positive step'

Jessica Lal's sister, Sabrina Lal, who was present in court said she was happy that the court had accepted the police appeal against the judgement.

There were widespread protests after a court freed all the accused

"The important thing is that all the accused have been directed not to leave the country.

"It is a very positive step."

Defence lawyer Ram Jethmalani, who represented Mr Sharma, told Reuters news agency: "It's a correct verdict. The accused will remain on bail."

Manu Sharma, son of Haryana state Congress party minister Venod Sharma, was the main accused in the case along with eight others.

It was alleged in the trial that Lal was shot dead by Manu Sharma after she refused to serve him a drink.

But key eyewitnesses later retracted their statements and the judge said the case presented by the prosecution had several loopholes.

'Conjecture'

There has been public outrage in India following the judgement, with protest rallies and a sustained media campaign to demand justice for Jessica Lal.

Delhi police had appealed against the acquittals, saying the accused had been freed on "mere conjectures and surmises".

Police in Delhi are also investigating claims there was a conspiracy to pervert justice in the case.

The police have questioned some witnesses and their own officials, who were involved in the case.