'Channel One' cleared to resume broadcasting: Appellate Division

The Appellate Division of Supreme Court (SC) has stayed the decision of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to stop the broadcasting of the country's private television 'Channel One'.

There are no longer any obstacles to the broadcasting of this channel, said the channel lawyers.

Justice Md Ashfaqul Islam of the Appellate Division issued the stay order on Monday (February 24).
Barrister Ruhul Quddus Kajal represented 'Channel One' in the court.

Earlier, on January 23, the Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division allowed 'Channel One' to file an appeal after a lengthy 16-year period.

'Channel One' was shut down 16 years ago. On April 27, 2010, shortly after 6:00 PM, the government at the time halted the frequency allocation. Sheikh Hasina allegedly, driven by political and vindictive motives, pressured the BTRC to interfere with the broadcasting of this popular media outlet. Subsequently, Channel One authorities filed a case in the High Court Division, but the case was dismissed due to the unjust orders of the then government.

Gias Uddin Al Mamun, Channel One's managing director and businessman, expressed satisfaction with the court's ruling, saying, "Our channel was unjustly shut down, and today, the court has delivered justice."