SC show cause in KTV case

Kathmandu, March 23 - The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered the government to furnish a written reply why it continues to deny permission to Kantipur Television Network (KTV) to use satellite link between the broadcaster's station in Kathmandu and eight regional relay stations.

The apex court also ordered the court administration to give priority to the KTV case and has fixed May 1 as the date for the final hearing.

Justice Rajendra Kumar Bhandari issued the order in response to a writ petition filed by KTV's managing director Ganesh Agrawal. Legal advisor for KTV Ram Krishna Nirala and advocate Madhav Kumar Basnet pleaded on behalf of Kantipur Television.

Agrawal moved the court after the government cancelled permission KTV had already received to use Television Receive Only (TVRO) equipment to link its Master Control Room in Kathmandu to the regional relay station in Dhankuta (Bhedetar). At the time of cancellation, KTV had already installed all needed equipment with due permission received from the government before February 1, 2005.