DHAKA: A Dhaka court on Sunday deferred the hearing on framing charge against BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir and 28 leaders of 18-party alliance to March 24 next year in the secretariat blast case. 

Dhaka-4 additional metropolitan session judge Ruhul Amin passed the deferment order upon a petition submitted by the defence counsel seeking further time. 

A case was filed with Shahbagh thana against BNP acting secretary general Mirza Fakhrul Islam and other leaders of the party in connection with the cocktail explosion in and outside the Secretariat in the city during the opposition-called countrywide hartal on April 29, 2012. 

Later on May 31 in 2012, Detective Branch of police Inspector Tapan Chandra Saha submitted charge sheet against the 18-party alliance leaders. 

BDST: 1310 HRS, OCT 26, 2014