Bangladesh Arrests Model Meghna Alam for Diplomatic Distress

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Meghna Alam Arrest Sparks Human Rights Outcry in Bangladesh

By TRH News Desk

New Delhi, April 13, 2025: The arrest of Meghna Alam, a prominent Bangladeshi model, actress, and Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 winner, has ignited widespread criticism. Bangladesh Police detained Alam for “harming diplomatic relations with a Gulf nation”.

Alam’s arrest also exposed fragile rule of law in Bangladesh with Muhammad Yunus at the helm. Activists slammed Yunus-led administration for disregarding legal procedures and violating human rights.

Alam is also the chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation. She was detained on April 9 from her residence in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area and subsequently sent to Kashimpur Central Jail for a 30-day detention under the Special Powers Act of 1974.

The incident drew sharp reactions from legal experts, human rights organizations, and local media. They questioned the legitimacy of the arrest process.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) stated that Alam was taken into custody on charges of “conspiring to undermine national security, attempting to deteriorate inter-state relations by spreading falsehoods about prominent individuals, and trying to cause economic harm to the country.”

A senior police officer, speaking anonymously to bdnews24.com, revealed that the detention stemmed from a complaint filed by a Saudi embassy official, though no specific charges have been formally filed.

The DMP further clarified, “Meghna Alam has been taken into safe custody in accordance with legal protocols”. It refuted claims of abduction that arose after Alam’s Facebook Live broadcast, where she alleged that individuals identifying as police attempted to break into her home without a warrant.

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However, the arrest has been met with significant backlash. Amnesty International expressed grave concern over the use of the Special Powers Act, stating, “Amnesty International is deeply concerned about the use of the Special Powers Act for the arrest of model Meghna Alam.”

The organization highlighted that the detention appeared to violate due process, noting, “As per media reports, Meghna’s detention was shrouded in secrecy, and was allegedly carried out without a warrant, which are considered to be an alarming violation of procedural safeguards.”

Amnesty called for authorities to either charge Alam with an internationally recognizable crime or release her, urging the repeal of the Special Powers Act altogether.

Local media outlets have echoed these concerns. The Daily Star reported that Supreme Court lawyer Jyotirmoy Barua criticized the arrest on social media, asserting that “Meghna’s detention and imprisonment involved legal violations at every step.” The media outlet also noted that the arrest was not acknowledged by authorities for 24 hours, with the DMP only issuing a statement after mounting pressure on social media.

The Business Standard highlighted Alam’s transfer to Kashimpur jail following a late-night court hearing on April 10. Ananda Bazar Patrika reported that police allegedly broke into her home during a Facebook Live session, abruptly ending the broadcast.

Adding to the controversy, Law Adviser Asif Nazrul addressed the issue in a press conference on April 13, admitting, “The arrest of model Meghna Alam was not conducted in accordance with proper procedures,” as reported by The Daily Star.

This statement coincided with the removal of DMP’s Detective Branch (DB) chief Rezaul Karim Mallick from his post, a move The Daily Star described as being “in the interest of administrative purposes,” though many speculate it is linked to the mishandling of Alam’s case.

The arrest has also raised questions about the broader context of law enforcement in Bangladesh. The Daily Star pointed out the country’s troubling history of enforced disappearances, noting that Alam’s detention without immediate acknowledgment fueled public unease.

Additionally, Alam’s father, Badrul Alam, told The Daily Star that his daughter was engaged to a foreign diplomat, a detail that has led to speculation about the motives behind her arrest, with some reports suggesting diplomatic tensions may be at play.