HC questions legality of model Meghna’s arrest
The High Court on Sunday issued a rule asking the government to explain why the arrest of model Meghna Alam should not be declared illegal.
The HC bench, comprising Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Tamanna Rahman Khalidi, passed the order following a writ petition filed challenging her arrest and subsequent detention.
The court also issued additional rules seeking explanations from the government regarding several contentious aspects of Meghna’s case. These include:
- Arresting her without a warrant or valid reason.
- Keeping her in Detective Branch (DB) custody for more than 24 hours.
- Denying her access to legal representation.
- The 30-day detention order issued by the Metropolitan Magistrate, which the petition claims exceeds legal authority.
Furthermore, the HC issued another rule asking the government to explain why an order should not be issued for Meghna’s immediate release.
The respondents named in the rule include the secretaries of the Home Ministry and Law Ministry, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, and the District Magistrate.
Jurists Sara Hossain and Zahed Iqbalrepresented the petitioner, who is Meghna’s father.
On April 10, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah sentenced Meghna to 30 days in jail under the Special Powers Act. Following the verdict, she was transferred to Kashimpur Jail.
Meghna Alam, a prominent model, chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation, and former titleholder of Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was arrested by the Detective Branch (DB) of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) on April 7 under the Special Powers Act.
Her father subsequently filed a writ petition challenging the lower court’s verdict, arguing that her arrest and detention were unlawful and violated her fundamental rights.
The writ petition raises several critical legal questions, including whether the authorities acted within their jurisdiction by detaining Meghna without a warrant or clearly stating the reasons for her arrest. Additionally, it challenges the legality of the prolonged DB custody and the denial of access to legal counsel during her detention.
Source: UNB
