HYDERABAD, Dec 12: The second additional district and sessions Judge Amjad Bohyo on Monday adjourned proceedings for framing of charges in the water contamination case of 2004 against government officials.

Those who appeared in the court included chief engineer of the Jamshoro thermal power house, former DG Hyderabad Development Authority, Ali Ahmed Lund, former chief engineer of the Sukkur barrage, former chief engineer of the Kotri barrage, Agha Ali Hassan, former MD Water and Sanitation Agency Kafil Ahmed, former SDO Bashir Awan and assistant executive engineer Salimuddin.

Then EDO heath Dr Agha Tariq did not appear as he has gone abroad.

The next hearing has been fixed for December 24.

The Market police lodged a case against accused on June 4, 2004 under directives of then Chief Secretary Dr Mutawakal Kazi, who had conducted initial inquiries into the death of several people on account of supply of contaminated water.

Poisonous water of the Manchhar Lake was released by irrigation officials into the Indus River in May through Aral Wah and the same was provided to people by Wasa through its water supply network.

About 42 people including children, men and women had died due to waterborne diseases.