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Published : 29 Jul 2025, 02:46 PM
A Dhaka court has ordered an investigation to determine whether any “anti-state materials” are present in model Meghna Alam’s seized MacBook, laptop, and mobile phone, in connection with a fraud and extortion case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station.
The court also instructed the investigation officer to verify the ownership of these devices and submit a report by Aug 31.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate MA Azharul Islam issued the order on Tuesday after a hearing in the presence of Meghna.
The hearing, which began at 11:09am, was held over her request for the return of her gadgets and passport.
Meghna entered the dock holding a prayer mat. Her lawyers, Mohsin Reza and Mahima Bandhan, appealed for the return of her devices and passport.
Opposing the request, state counsel Harun Or Rashid said: “This is a highly sensitive case and is currently under investigation. It is necessary to determine whether she used the laptop and mobile phone to blackmail businessmen or diplomats. For the sake of the investigation, we request the plea be denied.”
In response, Meghna told the court: “I have professional relationships with several ambassadors. The Saudi ambassador, Essa (Yousef Essa Al Duhailan), lured me into a romantic trap. I have proof of that.
“I can prove whether I was the one trapped or whether I trapped someone else.”
The judge responded, “This is not the matter for discussion now.”
Meghna then said, “The image of Bangladesh depends on me. I work with 10 international organisations across six continents. I want my MacBook, laptop, mobile phone, and passport back.”
The state prosecutor replied, “Her activities involving women are clearly mentioned in the case details. She used women to blackmail others.”
Objecting, Meghna said: “You are insulting the ambassador.”
At that point, both sides engaged in a heated argument.
“I am still innocent,” Meghna claimed.
After hearing both sides, the court set Aug 31 as the deadline for the probe officer to submit a report on the seized devices.
Meghna, a model and chairman of the Miss Bangladesh Foundation, was the winner of Miss Earth Bangladesh in 2020.
Meghna was detained from a house in Dhaka’s Bashundhara Residential Area on Apr 9.
Before her arrest, Meghna posted a live video on Facebook, alleging that individuals claiming to be police officers were attempting to break into her home. The livestream ended shortly after her arrest.
She was produced before a Dhaka court the following day, which ordered her to be held in custody for 30 days under the Special Powers Act.
Amid mounting criticism of her detention, DB chief Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallick was removed from his post.
The High Court later issued a rule asking why Meghna’s detention under the Special Powers Act should not be declared illegal and why she should not be released from detention.
It also asked why the manner in which she was detained from her house should not be declared unconstitutional and a violation of human rights.
On Apr 17, Meghna was formally arrested in the Dhanmondi “honey trap” case.
The charges alleged that Meghna, along with Dewan Samir and other accomplices, is part of an organised criminal gang.
The group is accused of entrapping diplomats and wealthy expat industrialists by luring them into romantic scams using attractive women.
The allegations further added that the gang used threats of defamation and dishonour, exploiting these relationships to extort money through illegal means.
