Dhaka, July 3 (UNB) – A Dhaka court on Tuesday once against deferred until July 24 the hearing on charge framing against 46 leaders of the 18-party alliance, including BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir, in a bus torching case.

Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Erfan Ullah passed the order following separate petitions submitted by the lawyers of eight 18-party alliance leaders.

Counsels for five MPs MK Anwar, Barrister Mahbub Uddin Khokon, Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie, Col Oli Ahmad and Andalib Rahman Partha, BNP leaders Sadek Hossain Khoka and Mirza Abbas and former student leader Kamruzzaman Ratan sought time extension on different grounds.

Thirty of the 46 accused, including Fakhrul, were present at the court during today’s proceedings.

Earlier, on June 20, the court deferred till today the charge-framing against the opposition alliance leaders in the case.

A vehicle was set on fire and damaged near the Prime Minister’s Office on the night of April 29 after a daylong hartal enforced by the 18-party alliance.

Tejgaon police filed a case in this connection.

DB police later submitted a charge sheet before a court accusing 45 leaders, including Mirza Fakrul Islam Alamgir.

Metropolitan Magistrate Erfan Ullah sent the accused to jail after rejecting their bail prayers on May 16.

Police submitted a supplementary charge sheet against general secretary of Islami Chhatra Shibir Abdul Jabbar alias Jashim on May 27.