HC seeks Ekattor TV’s explanations over PK Halder interview

The High Court Sunday sought a written explanation from Ekattar TV authorities about Prashant Kumar (PK) Haldar's interview and talk show broadcast by the network.

After hearing an appeal placed by Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a virtual High Court bench comprising of Justices Nazrul Islam Talukder and Ahmed Sohail passed the order. The court fixed 16 January for the next hearing.

Pk Haldar fled overseas after charges of embezzling several crores of taka were filed against him.

Prior to the hearing, Ekattar TV handed over a video clip of the interview to the Registrar General of the Supreme Court for submission to the High Court.

Along with the video clip, Ekattor TV submitted a report signed by Ekattar TV Chief News Editor Shakil Ahmed to the registrar of the High Court Division.

The report said, "Ekattar TV respects the law. As per the instructions of the court, we are submitting, via your good offices, the video clip of the report broadcast at 10pm on 28 December, followed by the talk show broadcast at 11:30pm. We request you to inform the relevant bench of the High Court regarding submission of this clip."

On 30 December, the HC banned the media from airing statements of all the fugitive accused, including PK Haldar. At the same time, the court directed the Ekattor TV to submit a video clip of PK Haldar's interview and talk show to the court. The HC passed the order in response to an ACC appeal.

ACC lawyer Md Khurshid Alam said PK Haldar's statements were broadcast live in various electronic media outlets. In the eyes of the law, PK Haldar is a fugitive accused, hence the ACC appealed to the court seeking a ban on airing statements of all the accused, including PK Haldar.

Meanwhile, on 8 January, Interpol issued a red alert to arrest Haldar.