DHAKA: A Dhaka court has deferred until December 15 the recording of deposition in the case against 147 BNP and 18-party men including BNP joint secretary general Ruhul Kabir Rizvi and former chief whip Zainul Abedin Farroque over vandalism in front of BNP’s Naya Paltan central office.

The court of Dhaka chief metropolitan magistrate M Tareq Moinul Islam passed the order as the witnesses were not present on Monday.

Ex-chief whip Farroque, advisor to BNP chairperson AZM Zahid Hossain and BNP leader Amanul Aman among 91 accused were present during the hearing. The rest of 56 men including Rizvi appealed for more time.

Earlier on March 11 in 2013, the case was filed against 148 men of BNP and 18-party alliance for their alleged involvement in sabotage acts in Paltan area through vandalism.

On March 24 of that year, Paltan Thana sub-inspector and also investigation officer Mahbubul Hasan submitted charge-sheet against them.

Among the accused, one Omar Faruq died and later his name was withdrawn from the charge-sheet.

BDST: 1711 HRS, NOV 10, 2014