NEW DELHI, Nov 23 — A Delhi Court today framed charges against former central minister’s son, Sidharth Vashishth alias Manu Sharma, prime accused in the murder case of ramp model Jessica Lal in a restaurant and six others for harbouring and helping in destroying evidence.

Additional Sessions Judge S.M. Chopra, after examining the evidence on record, said there was a prima facie sufficient proof against Manu Sharma to try him under Sections 302 (murder) and 201 (destroying evidence) of the IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act.

He allegedly had shot dead Jessica Lal at socialite Bina Ramani’s “Tamarind Court” restaurant near Qutab Minar in South Delhi on April 30, 1999 with his licensed revolver after she reportedly refused to serve him liquor around midnight. Jessica worked as bar tender in the restaurant.

The court also framed charges under Sections 120 (criminal conspiracy) and 201 (destroying evidences) against Rajya Sabha MP D.P. Yadav’ son, Vikas Yadav, and Coca Cola official Amardeep Singh, who allegedly helped Manu in destroying evidence. Besides, four others — former cricketer Yograj Singh, Raja Chopra, Harvinder Chopra and Rubi Gill — were also charged with harbouring Manu before he had surrendered to the police.

The court had discharged three suspects — Shyam Sunder Sharma, a relative of former President Shankar Dayal Sharma, businessman Amit Jhingan and another Coca Cola official, Alok Khanna — saying there was no evidence against them to show their involvement in the case.

The court fixed December 8 for recording evidence in the case.

After a fortnight of the murder of Jessica Lal the police claimed to have arrested those involved in the case.

Manu Sharma, surrendered on May 6, six days after the murder of the model in the illegal bar-cum-restaurant in the elegant South Delhi.

He has been charged under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code (murder) and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy). Manu Sharma has been remanded to judicial custody till May 20.

Yograj Singh, a former Test cricketer who allegedly provided shelter to Manu Sharma and his friend Dr Vikas Gill. He is likely to be arrested under Section 212 of the IPC.

Manu Sharma is reported to have contacted him when his car broke down while fleeing.

Bina Ramani, Malini Ramani and George Mailhot: While Bina Ramani holds a British passport, her daughter Malini is an US passport holder and George Mailhot, the socialite’s husband, holds a Canadian passport. They were arrested on May 8 for running the restaurant beyond midnight and for possession and serving of liquor illegally under Excise Act 61 and 68.