HC issues rule over live telecast of key SC hearings

The High Court today issued a rule asking why steps should not be taken for live telecast of hearings of cases involving matters of public interest and constitutional importance.

The rule was issued by the bench of Justice Md Habibul Gani and Justice Syed Mohammed Tazrul Hossain following a writ petition submitted as public interest litigation.

Secretaries to the ministries of information and broadcasting, and law, as well as the registrar general of the Supreme Court, were made respondents.

They have been asked to respond within four weeks.

The court set June 26 to pass further orders on the matter, said petitioners' counsel Mohammad Shishir Manir.

The petition was submitted by six lawyers – Saddam Hossein, Mizan Haque, Abdullah Sadique, Aminul Islam Shakil, and Zayed Bin Amjad – along with five law students from Dhaka University.

They sought a directive for the authorities to enable live broadcast of hearings of cases that are of constitutional and public significance.