Meghna Alam
Meghna Alam | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Occupation(s) | Model, environmental advocate |
| Organization | Miss Bangladesh Foundation (Chairperson) |
| Known for | National Director of Miss Earth, Miss Global and many other minor international beauty pageants |
| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 |
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Major competition(s) | Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020 (Winner) Miss Earth 2020 (Unplaced) Miss Universe Bangladesh 2019 (Top 18) Miss World Bangladesh 2023 (Top 20) |
Meghna Alam is a Bangladeshi model, environmental advocate, and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned as Miss Earth Bangladesh 2020. She represented Bangladesh for the first time at Miss Earth 2020.[1] She is also the chairperson of the Miss Bangladesh Organization.[2]
She was detained in April 2025 as an alleged national security threat.[3] Her detention has come under scrutiny from various human rights organizations and media claiming it was unlawful.[4][5]
Career
[edit]Alam founded and served as the CEO of Ekottro Foundation.[6] She worked as a woman leadership trainer.[6] She competed in Miss Universe Bangladesh in 2019 and finished 18th.[7]
In 2020, Alam competed and won the Miss Earth Bangladesh.[8]
Detention under Special Powers Act
[edit]On 10 April 2025, Alam was detained under the Special Powers Act, 1974 following an appeal by the Detective Branch of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police.[9] Her detention was ordered by Home Ministry of Bangladesh for 30 days under Section 3(1) of the act, which allows for preventative detention to ensure public safety and law and order.[9] Her arrest followed rumours of abduction after being detained while live on Facebook.[9][10][11] Authorities stated that Alam had been detained for allegedly spreading misinformation that could harm Bangladesh's diplomatic relationships and cause potential economic loss.[9] Following the court's order at midnight, Alam was transferred to Kashimpur Central Jail.[9][12][13] Following a complaint by a senior diplomat at the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Bangladesh, she was detained.[14] She is believed to be in a relationship with Essa Yousef Essa Al Duhailan, ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Bangladesh.[12][13] She was placed in 30-day detention under a security order under the Special Powers Act, which allows for detention without trial.[15] Amnesty International expressed concerns over her detention.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ "Model Meghna taken to DB custody for questioning". New Age. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ "Miss Bangladesh Beauty Pageant to crown 10 ambassadors to rebrand Bangladesh globally". The Daily Star. 2024-09-17. Archived from the original on 2024-09-17. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "DMP: Meghna Alam in custody for national security threat". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ a b "Amnesty expresses concern over Meghna Alam's detention". The Daily Star.
- ^ "Meghna Alam's detention: Same script, new cast?". The Daily Star.
- ^ a b "Meghna becomes the first Miss Earth Bangladesh". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Meghna doesn't want to work in any Drama right now". Time Trend Magazine. 2022-09-12. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Miss Earth Bangladesh Meghna Alam sent to jail for 30 days". Dhaka Tribune. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ a b c d e "Ex-Miss Earth Bangladesh Meghna Alam detained for 'posing threat to public safety, law and order'". The Business Standard. 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Meghna Alam not abducted, kept in protective custody: police". The Daily Star. 11 April 2025. Retrieved 11 April 2025.
- ^ "Actress Meghna Alam Arrest: লাইভের মাঝেই দরজা ভেঙে ঘরে পুলিস, গ্রেফতার অভিনেত্রী মেঘনা..." Zee24Ghanta.com (in Bengali). 2025-04-11. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ a b Media Goppo (2025-04-10). প্রভাবশালী সৌদি রাষ্ট্রদূতের ইশারায় মধ্যরাতে গ্রেপ্তার মডেল মেঘনা আলম ! Meghna Alam Essa Yousef. Retrieved 2025-04-11 – via YouTube.
- ^ a b "Model Meghna Alam arrested, sent to jail -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "DMP refutes claims of Meghna Alam's abduction, says she was taken into custody legally". bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2025-04-11.
- ^ "Db detains former Miss Earth Bangladesh Meghna Alam -". The Daily Observer. Retrieved 2025-04-11.