The High Court on Tuesday issued a rule seeking an explanation as to why the government's inaction to remove all immoral and reprehensible video contents and films from the country’s streaming platforms should not be declared illegal.
The bench of Justice JBM Hassan and Justice Md Khairul Alam issued the rule after hearing a writ petition filed by the Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Tanvir Ahmed in this regard.
The High Court has also issued a rule asking why regulation should not be made in this regard.
Advocate Tanvir Ahmed accompanied by Abdullah Abu Syed and Ashif Parvez stood in favour of the writ before the court on Tuesday.
Confirming the matter to The Business Post, Tanvir Ahmed said eight individuals in total were made respondents in this rule.
“The High Court also asked the inspector general of police (IGP) to submit a report within four weeks on what action has been taken against those who created such contents in the country,” he added.
He also said that as per the court order, the authorities concerned will have to remove all immoral and reprehensible video contents within 15 days after receiving the order.
Earlier on July 15, the High Court directed the authorities concerned to remove all immoral and reprehensible video contents and films from the country’s streaming platforms within seven days.
The bench of Justice M Enayetur Rahim passed the order after virtually hearing a writ petition filed in this regard.
Besides, the High Court also asked the Bangladesh Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (BTRC) to submit a report on how the government collects revenue from the OTT (over-the-top) platforms within a month.
Earlier, Tanvir Ahmed filed a writ petition with the High Court on July 12 seeking necessary order in this regard.
According to the writ petition, several OTT (over-the-top) services operating in the country are streaming inappropriate contents which cause deterioration in the moral values of the younger generation.
A total of eight individuals were made respondents for this writ that included, secretaries from the Post and Telecommunications Division, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Ministry of Information, as well as the chairman of BTRC and inspector general of police (IGP).
Earlier on June 14, a legal notice was issued seeking removal of inappropriate contents from streaming sites in Bangladesh within 24 hours.
The lawyer sent a legal notice to concerning government offices seeking removal of such content from all the streaming services of the country.
Later, Tanvir Ahmed filed a writ with the High Court as no response or reply came forth from the recipients of the legal notice.
nh/teb
