KARACHI, Nov 17: The District and Sessions Judge South, Mr Zaheer Ahmed Leghari, deferred on Friday the indictment of five MPAs of the Pakistan Peoples Party in the Eshwar Lal case.

The judge fixed December 15 for the formal arraignment of Nisar Ahmed Khuhro, Leader of Opposition in the Sindh Assembly, and PPP MPAs Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi, Muhammad Nawaz Chandio, Muhammad Saleem Hingoro and Murad Ali Shah.

The five MPAs, who are on bail, were present in the court along with their counsel Shahadat Awan.

They were booked by the Preedy police under Sections 324, 506-B, 109 and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code for attempted murder on the complaint of the ruling party MPA on June 26.

Mr Eshwar Lal in his complaint said he knew PPP MPA Shazia Marri and inquired about her health through a note as he had learnt she was not feeling well.

Ms Marri was offended by the note and gave it to the Leader of Opposition, Mr Nisar Khuhro.

Mr Lal said in his complaint that Mr Khuhro and the five other PPP MPAs manhandled him. The MPAs of other parties came to his rescue.

Mr Lal then lodged a case about the incident.