The rule has been issued to the secretaries of the relevant ministries

The High Court today issued a rule asking the authorities concerned of the government to explain why their inaction to block news and contents of Indian satellite channel Republic Bangla on Facebook, YouTube, and other social media in the territory of Bangladesh and to take legal action against the channel should not be declared illegal.

The bench of Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Sayed Jahed Mansur passed the order in response to a writ petition filed by Supreme Court lawyer Md Mahmudul Hasan, who sought directives to take action against the channel.

The rule has been issued to the secretaries of the ministries of information and broadcasting; posts, telecommunications and information technology; foreign affairs; and home affairs, as well as to the ICT Division and the chairman of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC).

They have been asked to respond to the court's query.

In the public interest litigation filed last year, the petitioner alleged that Republic Bangla had engaged in "criminal conspiracy" by broadcasting content aimed at provoking communal unrest in Bangladesh and promoting the idea of India annexing Chattogram division.

He further argued that such broadcasts endangered national security and public safety.

He also challenged the authorities' failure to take legal action against the channel and requested the court to intervene.

Mahmudul Hasan presented arguments himself before the High Court today.