It also issued rule asking BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) to explain why its order allocating frequency of satellite link and giving no objection certificate for importing Earth Station and SNG/Fly way machinery should not be declared illegal.

The rule came upon a writ in the form of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Syed Borhan Kabir, Dr Harunur Rashid and Wahidul Huq challenging the legitimacy of the orders.

The rule was made returnable in six weeks.

Appearing for the petitioners, advocate Mahbube Alam submitted that the government action was malafide. He said about 30 applications for permission to launch private TV channels were lying pending but the government ignored them by allowing ntv under undue influence.

The counsel questioned the post facto approval of the information ministry, which he said had no power to grant such approval. He submitted that the approval was biased, politically influenced and described it as a 'colourable exercise of power'.

The shareholders of ITCL are close relatives of Prime Minister's Political Secretary Mosaddeq Ali Falu and State Minister for Home Lutfuzzaman Babar, the counsel pointed out.

Referring to the guidelines on private channel television installation and operation framed in 1998, the counsel submitted that the ownership of TV channels could not be transferred to any person or institution without prior permission from the government.

As per regulations of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Act 2001, a licence or any right acquired wholly or partially shall not be transferable and such transfer, if any, shall be void.