Alim is standing trial for allegedly commiting crimes against humanity during the 1971 Liberation War.
The second war crimes tribunal Judge Obaidul Hassan passed the order when the defence counsel prayed for more time before starting questioning of a witness against Alim.
The questioning of the 11th prosecution witness against Alim, Dileep Kumer Chakrabarty, was supposed to begin from Monday.
But the defence counsels failed to appear before the tribunal to start the questioning.
Prosecutor Rana Dasgupta opposed the time extension prayer by the defence and requested the judge that the questioning be declared as over.
The judge referred to several previous occasion when defence counsels were cautioned for delaying the trial through their absence.
The tribunal however allowed the defence more time, but fined them Tk 2000, which should be deposited to the state exchequer.
Mar 18 has been fixed for the next date to question the 11th witness. The prosecution has been ordered to produce its next witness on Mar 10.
The tribunal indicted Alim for seven counts of crimes against humanity in 17 specific incidents on June 11. He is currently out on bail in the case.