Claiming that the government’s action was illegal, the petitioner demanded SC’s interim order for the resumption of radio transmission.

The government had asked the FM station to shut down its transmission until further notice.

They also urged the SC to ask the government to return all the radio equipment confiscated from radio station.

According to officials of the FM station, armed security officials left behind two letters issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) during the time of raid. One of the letters said the Ministry had ordered the station to stop all its transmission until further notice, as per National Broadcast Act 2049 BS, for airing programmes that would encourage terrorists or terrorist activities. Another letter said the government had ordered to seize radio equipment as the radio station was found broadcasting programmes by violating the Ministry’s order not air (BBC Nepali) on Sunday (Nov. 27).

Officials with the Radio Sagarmatha, however, said they did not receive any notification, in writing or over phone, from the Ministry in advance and that they had already discontinued the interview with Maoist chairman Prachanda.

Some two-dozen police personnel raided the radio station at Bakhundole, Lalitpur at around 9:15 p. m., seized radio equipment and arrested four journalists and a technician. Journalist Durga Karki was released later while three journalists and one technician were released on Monday.

The Supreme Court is also examining the case related to newly promulgated media ordinance and seizure of up linking equipment from Kantipur FM. ( 28th Nov 05, nepalnews.com)