A Dhaka court on Thursday denied bail to model Meghna Alam, who was arrested in connection with a fraud case filed at Dhanmondi Police Station over allegations involving foreign envoys.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Masuma Rahman issued the order following a hearing.

During the proceedings, Meghna’s legal team, including Mohsin Reza, Mahima Badhon, and Barrister Sadman Shakib, argued that the allegations against her were baseless and the case was intended to harass and defame her.

They stressed that the case lacks specific evidence of wrongdoing and requested the court to consider her gender and grant bail under any reasonable conditions.

Meghna was formally shown arrested on 17 April in connection with the case. According to the case statement, Meghna Alam and Dewan Samir, along with two to three unidentified individuals, are alleged to be members of an “organised fraud ring”.

The group reportedly used “attractive” women to lure diplomats, representatives of foreign missions in Bangladesh, and affluent local businessmen into romantic or illicit relationships. They allegedly resorted to blackmail and extortion by threatening to damage the reputations of their targets, said the statement.

Dewan Samir is identified as the CEO of a business entity called KAWAII Group and the owner of a manpower firm named Sanjana International. He also previously operated MIRI International Event Management Limited.

As part of the alleged scheme, Dewan is accused of appointing “attractive and smart” women as brand ambassadors in his companies to facilitate contact with high-profile individuals, later using those relationships for blackmail and extortion, the case statement added.