The International Crimes Tribunal (ICT) has sought the broadcast licence and related official documents of private television channel Ekattor TV as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged crimes against humanity linked to the May 2013 events at Motijheel’s Shapla Chattar.
According to tribunal sources, the ICT’s investigation agency issued a formal letter to the chief executive officer of Ekattor TV on Monday, requesting the submission of the channel’s government-issued broadcast licence along with other relevant records. The letter became public on Wednesday.
The request is connected to an investigation involving former Ekattor Media Limited Managing Director Mozammel Haque Babu and former principal correspondent Farzana Rupa, who are accused in the case.
The communication was signed by Muhammed Shahidullah Chowdhury, co-coordinator of the tribunal’s investigation agency. Attached to the letter was an application submitted by investigating officer Fateh Md Iftekharul Alam, who is conducting the inquiry under Section 3(2) of the International Crimes (Tribunals) Act, 1973.
The investigation concerns allegations of crimes against humanity related to the events surrounding the Hifazat-e-Islam gathering at Shapla Chattar on 5 and 6 May 2013.
Investigators said the requested documents are necessary for the ongoing probe and have asked the television station to cooperate fully with the process.
The letter was sent to Ekattor TV’s office in Baridhara, Dhaka, through its chief executive officer. Describing the matter as one of national importance, the investigation agency called on the channel’s authorities to provide sincere and complete assistance in facilitating the inquiry.
The tribunal’s investigation into the Shapla Chattar events remains ongoing.
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