On April 9, 2025, Meghna Alam, a 30-year-old Bangladeshi model, actress, and former Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020, was arrested in Dhaka under the Special Powers Act, 1974, for allegedly threatening the country’s diplomatic relations, particularly with Saudi Arabia.
The case has drawn significant attention due to its controversial nature, the manner of her arrest, and the broader implications for free speech and legal processes in Bangladesh.
Background of Meghna Alam and Her Arrest
Meghna Alam rose to prominence after winning Miss Earth Bangladesh in 2020. She is also the chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation, a national director for the Miss Bangladesh Organization, and an environmental advocate who has worked on issues like climate change and gender equality since age 12.
Meghna Alam founded the Ekottro Foundation and has served as a leadership trainer, earning recognition for initiatives such as creating products from recycled plastics and empowering women through entrepreneurship.
Her arrest followed a series of social media posts in which she claimed to have been in a relationship with a Saudi diplomat, widely reported as the former Saudi ambassador to Bangladesh, Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan. Meghna Alam alleged that the diplomat, who is married, proposed marriage, which she refused upon learning of his family.
She further claimed he was attempting to silence her, with assistance from Bangladeshi authorities, to prevent her from sharing details of their relationship. These claims were made in now-deleted Facebook posts and a 12-minute livestream on April 9, during which individuals identifying as police entered her home.
The Dhaka Metropolitan Police, specifically the Detective Branch, detained Alam, citing her actions as a threat to public safety, law, and order. A Dhaka court ordered her detention for 30 days without formal charges, and she was transferred to Kashimpur Central Jail.
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Police spokesperson Muhammad Talebur Rahman stated that Alam spread false information about “important foreign nationals” to harm Bangladesh’s diplomatic ties and economic interests. Local media reports also mentioned allegations of Alam attempting to extort $5 million from the diplomat, though no official confirmation of this claim has been provided by authorities.
Controversy Surrounding the Arrest
The circumstances of Alam’s arrest have sparked widespread criticism. The livestream, which showed her pleading with officers before it abruptly ended, initially fueled rumors of abduction, as authorities did not confirm her detention for 24 hours. The use of the Special Powers Act, a law allowing indefinite detention without trial, has been condemned by human rights organizations.
Amnesty International called it “draconian” and demanded that Alam be charged with an internationally recognizable crime or released. Asif Nazrul, a legal adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, admitted on April 13 that the arrest process was “not appropriate,” citing procedural irregularities.
Alam’s father, Badrul Alam, supported her claims, telling media that her arrest stemmed from her refusal to marry the diplomat and her subsequent outreach to his wife.
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He alleged that the diplomat contacted Bangladesh’s Home Ministry, leading to the use of the Special Powers Act. The High Court in Dhaka issued a rule on April 13, asking the government to explain within two weeks why Alam’s detention should not be declared illegal, following a writ petition by her father challenging the arrest’s validity.
Implications and Public Reaction
The case has raised concerns about freedom of expression and the misuse of legal provisions in Bangladesh. Lawyers, including Sara Hossain, who represented Meghna Alam in court, and activists like Firoz Ahmed, have criticized the late-night court hearing and the lack of transparency.
Some, including lawyer Jyotirmoy, warned that the detention sets a “dangerous precedent” for civil liberties, especially under a government formed after a student-led uprising in 2024 that ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Saudi Arabia’s significant role in Bangladesh, including hosting 2.16 million Bangladeshi workers and providing financial aid, adds a layer of diplomatic sensitivity to the case.
Public sentiment, reflected in local media and community discussions, is mixed. Supporters of Alam argue she is being unfairly targeted for speaking out, while others believe her public accusations risked escalating tensions unnecessarily.
The removal of Rezaul Karim Mallik, an additional commissioner of the Detective Branch, on April 12 suggests internal acknowledgment of mishandling. The incident has also drawn comparisons to broader issues of power dynamics, with some alleging foreign influence in domestic law enforcement.
Meghna Alam’s detention on April 9, 2025, for allegedly threatening Bangladesh’s diplomatic ties remains a contentious issue. Her claims of a personal dispute with a Saudi diplomat, combined with the dramatic nature of her arrest, have ignited debates over legal fairness and national security priorities. As the High Court reviews her case and investigations continue, the outcome will likely influence perceptions of justice and diplomacy in Bangladesh.