The High Court has issued a rule asking why model and actress Meghna Alam, detained under the Special Powers Act, should not be released and why her detention should not be declared illegal.
At the same time, the court has sought an explanation as to why the manner in which she was picked up from her residence should not be deemed unconstitutional and a violation of human rights.
The bench of Justice Rajik Al Jalil and Justice Tamanna Rahman Khalidi issued the rule on Sunday (13 April) following a hearing of a writ petition filed by Meghna’s father, Badruzzaman Alam.
The court has directed the Home Secretary, Law Secretary, Dhaka District Magistrate, and Inspector General of Police to respond to the rule within two weeks.
Barrister Sara Hossain represented Meghna in court.
Another lawyer representing Meghna, Kazi Zahed Iqbal, told reporters, “If there were genuine allegations against Meghna Alam, action could have been taken under regular legal provisions. But she was detained under the Special Powers Act based on vague accusations, which we are challenging.”
Procedures not properly followed: Asif Nazrul
Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that Meghna’s arrest process was “not properly followed.”
He told reporters at the Secretariat on Sunday that “There are certain allegations against Meghna Alam, and investigations are ongoing. The Home Ministry will take action after reviewing all the facts.”
DB chief removed
On the same day, amid growing criticism over Meghna’s arrest, Rezaul Karim Mallik, the chief of the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, was removed from his position and reassigned to DMP headquarters.
Meghna Alam was picked up by DB police late Wednesday night (10 April) from her residence in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area.
Before being detained, she appeared on Facebook Live, alleging that people identifying themselves as police were trying to break down her door. The live session, which lasted over 12 minutes, was abruptly cut off and later deleted from her account—though the video had already circulated widely on social media.
The next night (Thursday), Meghna was presented before a Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate court, which ordered her imprisonment for 30 days under Section 3(1) of the Special Powers Act.
According to DB police, Meghna has been accused of undermining state security, spreading misinformation to harm international relations, and conspiring to damage the national economy.