Form body to probe cop assault on ETV journo: HC

The High Court has directed the government to form a 2-member committee to look into the police assault on ETV journalist Akhil Poddar. Asking the home secretary to come up with a report on October 21 after investigating the incident, the court also ordered the officer-in-charge of Kumarkhali Police Station in Kushtia to record a first information report (FIR) within 24 hours in connection with the assault. The HC bench comprising justices Moyeenul Islam Chowdhury and Md Ashraful Kamal asked the Kumarkhali OC to submit a report on September 17 on the compliance of its order. The court also issued a rule upon the government to explain why legal action should not be taken against those responsible for assaulting the journo and why inaction to record a case in this regard should not be declared illegal. The HC came up with the orders and the rule on Sunday following a writ petition filed by Akhil Poddar, an ETV special correspondent, according to UNB.