New Delhi, Oct 25 (PTI) Framing of charges in a 12-year- old case, relating to drowning of over 170 Indian illegal immigrants near Malta in the Mediterranean sea, has been deferred by a Delhi court after it was told that its earlier order has been challenged by three of the accused.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Amit Bansal, who was to frame criminal charges against 20 accused, including two Delhi police officials, adjourned the matter to January 16 next year.

The court was intimated by the defence counsel that its earlier order, holding that there were sufficient evidence to frame charges in the case, has been challenged before the Delhi High Court by three of the accused.

The court, on July one, had ordered framing of charges against 20 accused, including two policemen, allegedly involved in trafficking of the victims.