Meghna Alam detention: Who speaks the truth – law adviser or special assistant?

TOB Report, Dhaka – The recent detention of showbiz model and Miss Earth Bangladesh Meghna Alam has sparked a heated debate over its legality, with contrasting views from top figures in the interim administration with dominant legal backgrounds.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul, a law professor at the University of Dhaka, has questioned the legitimacy of the detention, suggesting that due process may not have been followed.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, he said the way in which Meghna—who came to public attention following a scandal involving the Saudi Arabian ambassador to Bangladesh—was taken into custody raised serious concerns about the violation of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Bangladesh Constitution.

His remarks hint at the possible misuse of the draconian Special Powers Act (SPA) of 1974, a law frequently criticised by rights organisations for its vague language and potential for abuse.

Khoda Baksh Chowdhury, the Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant for the Home Ministry and a former Inspector General of Police, offered a different perspective on Tuesday.

The retired top cop defended the authorities’ actions, asserting that the detention was carried out in accordance with legal procedures. According to him, the steps taken by law enforcers were within the framework of existing laws and did not breach any judicial standards.

The Special Powers Act, under which the detention may have been made, permits preventive custody without trial for up to 30 days, and longer with executive approval.

The Act has historically been used in Bangladesh to detain individuals deemed to pose a threat to national security or public order.

However, it has drawn intense criticism from human rights groups, both locally and internationally, for enabling arbitrary detention without proper judicial oversight.

Legal experts note that Article 33 of the Constitution of Bangladesh guarantees that individuals must be informed of the grounds for their arrest and be allowed to consult a lawyer.

Any action that circumvents these protections, regardless of statutory cover, is seen as a violation of the right to liberty and fair legal treatment.

Critics argue that even when procedures under the SPA are formally followed, the law itself lacks adequate safeguards and can be misused against individuals who do not pose any real threat.

They emphasise that such measures undermine the rule of law and democratic accountability.

As the debate continues, the case of Meghna Alam has once again brought the Special Powers Act under the spotlight, renewing calls for reform and greater transparency in law enforcement practices.