HC paves way for 3 Indian channels

The High Court yesterday cleared the way for authorities concerned to continue running telecast of three Indian channels -- Star Jalsha, Star Plus and Zee Bangla in Bangladesh.

The court rejected a writ petition filed seeking its directive on the government to stop telecasting the three Indian television channels here.

Deputy Attorney General Motaher Hossain Sazu said the HC rejected the petition saying that it was not acceptable as the petitioner did not lodge any complaint with the competent authorities against the Indian television channels.

Any person can lodge complaint with the director general of Bangladesh Television and the information secretary against a television channel under the relevant law and rules if he or she is aggrieved, but the writ petitioner did not follow the rules, he said.    

Petitioner's lawyer Advocate Aklas Uddin Bhuiyn said his client would move an appeal before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court against the HC verdict.

Syeda Shahin Ara Laily, a SC lawyer, submitted the petition to the HC in September 2014, saying programmes broadcast by the three channels left adverse impact on social and cultural life of Bangladeshi people.