MUMBAI: The Bangladesh government on Sunday seized transmission equipment of Ekushey Television, which was forced to go off air from Thursday last.

According to reports in the Daily Star, the ministry of post and telecommunication seized key parts of the equipment for satellite news gathering and satellite earth station at the ETV Bhaban, fearing that the channel may try clandestine satellite transmission.

ETV is meanwhile trying to formulate an appropriate legal response to the confiscation of its equipment, which was done in accordance with section 5 of country's Telegraph Act, 1885. The ministry has reportedly seized the equipment as ETV continued its telecast till 10:40 pm on 29 August even though the Supreme Court had declared the company's license illegal at 11:40 am that day.

Satellite reports confirm that Asiasat 3S has stopped the transmission of both Ekushey TV and Ekushey World from 1 September.

Bangladesh's first terrestrial television channel, ETV's terrestrial broadcast was shut down by the government last Thursday after the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court upheld a High Court Division verdict declaring the license of the ETV illegal.