Staff Correspondent:

Meghna Alam, former Miss Earth Bangladesh-2020 and self-described political leadership trainer, appeared before a Dhaka court on Sunday, petitioning for the return of her seized mobile phone, iPad, and passport—confiscated in connection with a fraud and extortion case filed with Dhanmondi Police Station.

Her legal team, comprising Advocates Mohsin Reza Palash and Mohima Islam Bandhan, submitted the petition to Metropolitan Magistrate M A Azharul Islam.

The court has accepted the plea and is expected to deliver a ruling at a later date.

Speaking to reporters following the hearing, Meghna objected to being labeled solely as a “model” in media reports.

She said, “Professionally, I am a political leadership trainer. While I respect the modeling profession, in our society, the word ‘model’ often carries an unfair stigma.”

Denying any involvement in wrongdoing, Meghna firmly rejected allegations linking her to any foreign diplomat or extortion scheme.

“There is no official complaint from any foreign ambassador against me. If anyone claims to be a victim, they should appear before the court and prove it. This case is not only baseless—it harms Bangladesh’s reputation internationally.”

She also alleged that her April 9 detention was carried out unlawfully, claiming she was “abducted” without a warrant or legal procedure.

Meghna was picked up from her residence on April 9 and later detained under the Special Powers Act. She was placed on multiple remands related to separate fraud cases filed with Vatara and Dhanmondi police stations. On April 28, a 30-day detention order against her was withdrawn, and she was granted bail.

The case accuses Meghna and her co-accused, Dewan Samir—CEO of Kawwai Group and owner of Sanjana International—of leading an organized ring that allegedly used women to lure foreign diplomats and affluent businessmen into compromising situations. The group is accused of blackmailing victims with threats of exposure and extorting significant sums of money.

Meghna has categorically denied all accusations, describing the case as politically and personally motivated.