The hearing on the Uttar Pradesh government’s move to withdraw charges against all 19 accused in the 2015 Mohammad Akhlaq lynching case has been pushed to December 18, after the prosecution sought more time to respond.

The matter was originally listed for Friday (December 12), but prosecutor Yusuf Saifi informed the court that he intended to file an objection to the state’s proposal, prompting the adjournment, The Indian Express reported.

“We submitted an application for more time and now the matter is listed for December 18,” Saifi told the newspaper.

Akhlaq was lynched in 2015 after rumours alleging cow slaughter and beef possession spread in his village, an incident that marked the beginning of a series of mob violence episodes during the Modi years.

The BJP-led Uttar Pradesh government has sought to withdraw prosecution under Section 321 of the Criminal Procedure Code, according to an application before the upper sessions court in Gautam Buddha Nagar. One of the accused is Vishal Rana, son of local BJP leader Sanjay Rana.

The 19 men were earlier charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code—now replaced by the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita—including 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult) and 506 (criminal intimidation).

The withdrawal request was submitted on October 15 by Bhag Singh, assistant district government counsel, following directions from the state government conveyed through a letter dated August 26.