They made the move after Judge Rabiul Hassan of the Co}rt of Second Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge did not entertain their two time petitions for adjournment of yesterday's hearing.

The accused yesterday informed court that former home secretary and incumbent Election Commissioner Shafiur Rahman had earlier filed a writ petition with the High Court (HC) challenging legality of Section 124(A) of Bangladesh Penal Code.

After hearing, the HC issued a rule upon the government asking it why the proceedings of the case would not be stayed. The HC fixed yesterday for hearing on the petition filed for staying the proceedings of the case.

Former assistant secretary in the establishment ministry Rabiul Alam Obaidul Muktadir Chowdhury had also filed a criminal revision with the HC challenging the legality of the order of charge-framing against the accused. But the trial court did not take the HC orders into cognisance.

Defence lawyers, meanwhile, submitted two petitions for adjournment of the hearing as Mohammad Saifur Rahman, the then officer-in-charge of Ramna Police Station and the complainant of the case, appeared before court yesterday to testify as the first prosecution witness. But the trial court rejected the petitions.

Later, the lawyers submitted another petition for adjournment of the hearing. The petitioners said that they apprehend that they would not get justice in the court, which was why they would file a criminal revision with higher court for transfer of the case from the trial court.

The prosecution however opposed it and prayed for recording statement of the witness.

On hearing both sides, court fixed November 8 for submission of the higher court orders and in default, it would proceed in accordance with the law.

Other accused former students relationship officer in the education ministry Abu Alam Shahid Khan, former joint secretary in the women's affairs ministry Sirajuddin Ahmed, former director of the Department of Narcotics Control Syed Bazlul Karim and former president of the Secretariat Karmachari Sanjukta Parishad Syed Mohiuddin were present in court yesterday. Another accused, former deputy inspector general of Police Prokriti Ranjan Chanda, is still absconding.