Trial proceedings against BNP leader MK Anwar in a defamation case has been stayed for next six months following an order delivered by the High Court.

The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why the trial proceedings in the case should not be scrapped.

The bench of Justice Md Mistah Uddin Choudhury and Justice ANM Bashir Ullah came up with the order and the rule following a petition filed by Anwar, also a member of BNP standing committee.

Sagir Hossain Leon, lawyer of the BNP leader, told The Daily Star that Debashis Biswas, president of Dhaka south unit of Awami Swechchasebak League, filed the case in May 2013.

MK Anwar was sued as he, during a press briefing, said some people led by Debashis Biswas burned the Quran at Baitul Mukarram Mosque in Dhaka during a Hefajat e-Islam gathering on May 5, 2013.

MK Anwar recently filed the petition with the HC challenging the trial proceedings of the case.

Earlier, the lower court concerned accepted the charge sheet of the case against MK Anwar.