United News of Bangladesh

The High Court on Sunday issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why the arrest of model Meghna Alam should not be declared illegal. The HC bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Tamanna Rahman Khalidi passed the order following a writ petition filed over Meghna’s arrest. The HC also issued a rule asking the government to explain as to why arresting Meghna without a rule or warrant or arresting without stating the reason, keeping someone in DB custody for more than 24 hours, denying access to a lawyer and the 30-day detention order given by the Metropolitan Magistrate should not be declared beyond legal authority. It also issued another rule asking the government to explain as to why an order should not be given to release Maghna. Secretaries to the Home Affairs Ministry and Law Ministry, Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) Commissioner, District Magistrate were made respondents to the rule. Senior Advocate Barrister Sara Hossain and Advocate Zahed Iqbal stood for the petitioner. On April 10, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah sentenced Meghna to a 30-day jail in a case filed under Special Power Act. Later, she was sent to the Kashimpur Jail. HC issues rule on President's power to pardon convicts without policy Father of Meghna filed a writ petition challenging the lower court verdict. Meghna Alam, model and chairperson of Miss Bangladesh Foundation who also held the title of Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was taken into custody by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) under the Special Powers Act on April 7.  

The process of arresting model Meghna Alam was not appropriate, said Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said on Sunday. “Although there are specific allegations, the process followed under the Special Powers Act to arrest her was not appropriate. If there is evidence of wrongdoing, the Home Ministry will take proper action in accordance with the law,” he said while speaking at a press briefing at the Secretariat on recent issues. Meghna Alam, the winner of Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was sent to jail two days after being detained by the police from her residence in Dhaka. A court ordered her detention under the Special Powers Act for 30 days. Law Ministry recommends withdrawal of 7,184 politically-motivated cases:  Asif Nazrul “The Home Ministry issued the detention order against Meghna that sparked huge controversy, and we have discussed the matter at the highest level of government. We are aware of the concerns raised by various human rights organisations and other stakeholders,” the adviser said. Ethnic community members to lead Boishakhi Shobhajatra in Dhaka: Asif Nazrul He said the police are currently investigating some allegations against Meghna Alam. When asked about reports linking Meghna Alam with the immediate past Saudi ambassador, the law adviser said, “We have not discussed that matter.”