Some of the lawyers expressed no-confidence in the bench and left the courtroom saying that they would no more take part in hearings held by the bench.

"Too much interest of the bench in the cases makes our clients believe that they would not get justice from the bench. So, we objected to the hearing by the bench and walked out of the courtroom," Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, one of the lawyers moving the quashment petitions, told reporters.

The bench of Justice Sharifuddin Chaklader and Justice AFM Ali Azgar, however, fixed April 23, 24 and 25 for the next hearings.

The bench started to hear petitions for quashment of three corruption cases against Sheikh Hasina regarding the purchase of Mig-29 fighter planes and frigate and the appointment of an advisor to Bepza (Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority). The bench yesterday also heard the petitions for quashment of four other cases including two against former industries minister Tofail Ahmed.

About 50 lawyers including Barrister Amir-Ul Islam, Rokanuddin, Barrister Shafiq Ahmed, Advocate Mahbubey Alam, Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun, former Justice Shamsul Huda, former law minister Advocate Abdul Matin Khasru were present in the court on behalf of the petitioners.

Rokanuddin pleaded with the court for fixing a new date, sometime later, for hearing the petitions saying that he would go abroad for treatment.

As the court fixed April 23 for the next hearing, he told it that he might not be able to return by that time and asked for more time. The court, however, turned him down and said it wanted to hold the hearing quickly.

Rokanuddin told the court that the BNP government filed these cases against Awami League leaders with political motive. Similar cases were filed earlier against incumbent Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and the court had quashed those.

The court told him that it did not care about what had happened earlier and that it might not deliver a similar judgement in this case.

Rokan at this stage said he was worried at the court's 'too much interest in the cases'. He expressed the fear that his clients may not get justice and that they do not have confidence in the bench.

Attorney General AF Hassan Ariff stood up and pleaded with the court for quick disposal of the petition and fixing a fresh date for hearing.

Newly elected President of Supreme Court Bar Association Advocate Mahbubey Alam and Advocate Yusuf Hossain Humayun also appealed for more time before the next hearing.

As the court stood by its decision, Rokanuddin said it was impossible to take part in the hearing.

Barrister Amir-Ul Islam blamed the bench for bias and reiterated the apprehension that their clients would not get justice with the bench. The lawyers then left the courtroom.

The attorney general told the lawyers at that time that what they were doing was not proper.

The court stayed proceedings of the cases at the lower court until the next hearing.