Action taken against Meghna Alam in line with law: Khoda Bakhsh

Action against model Meghna Alam has been taken in accordance with the existing laws and no one has been subjected to unlawful treatment during the process, said Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on Home Affairs Md Khoda Bakhsh Chowdhury today (15 April).

"All steps were taken under the framework of the law and there has been no deviation from legal procedures. This [Special Powers] Act is being used. It's not like this law is not being used. It is not even that this is the only instance the law has been used. It's not an illegal act," he told reporters in reply to a question about the criticism surrounding Meghna Alam's detention under the Special Powers Act.

Khoda Bakhsh was speaking after a meeting of the core committee on law and order at the Secretariat.

"But if you ask why or what happened in this particular case—a certain incident happened, a complaint came, work is going on about this. The matter has gone to the High Court. Once it goes to the High Court, it becomes a sub judice matter. It's not right to talk about sub judice matters. Let's see what's in there," he added.

Khoda Bakhsh said action had been taken under the existing law without any illegal treatment, assured that they would respond to the High Court's inquiry, and added that everything would be provided in due time, though it was not appropriate to discuss the matter in advance.

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 7 April.

On 10 April, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Sefatullah sentenced Meghna to a 30-day jail in a case filed under the Special Powers Act.

Later, she was sent to the Kashimpur Jail.

Meanwhile, Meghna's father filed a writ petition at the High Court challenging the lower court order.