A Dhaka court on Monday rejected a petition filed by model Meghna Alam seeking the return of her passport, which was seized in connection with a fraud and extortion case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate MA Azharul Islam issued the order after a hearing.
Earlier, on 29 July, Meghna’s legal team had also filed a petition for the return of her passport. At that time, the court ordered forensic tests on her mobile phone and laptop to determine whether they contained any anti-state material and directed the submission of a report.
Although Tuesday was fixed for the submission of the forensic report, the investigating officer failed to present it. The magistrate has now set 11 November as the new date. Once the report is submitted, the court will decide based on its findings whether the seized items will be returned or permanently confiscated.
This means there is no possibility of Meghna regaining her passport before 11 November. The eventual decision on the return of her belongings will depend on the outcome of the forensic examination.
The seized items include her passport, an iPhone 16 Pro, a MacBook, an Oppo mobile phone, and a laptop.
Speaking to reporters, her lawyer Mohsin Reza Palash said, “Meghna Alam is a leadership trainer. She often needs to travel abroad to attend various events. That is why we emphasised the return of her passport during today’s hearing. However, the court rejected the plea for the passport’s return.”
Earlier, on 10 April, Meghna was sent to jail under a 30-day detention order issued under the Special Powers Act. On 17 April, she was shown arrested in a case filed with Dhanmondi Police Station. She was granted bail on 28 April and released the following day.
