Meherpur district Awami League general secretary M A Khalek was arrested at the Darshana immigration checkpost on Thursday while he was preparing to travel to India for medical treatment.
Khalek went to the immigration checkpost on the morning of 17 September with a medical visa. During routine verification of his travel documents, immigration police reportedly became suspicious about his details and sought further information about him from authorities in Gangni, Meherpur.
An inquiry through intelligence agencies subsequently found information that several cases had been filed against him. Police then arrested him in connection with a case filed under the Special Powers Act, 1974.
Following his arrest, a team of Detective Branch (DB) police from Gangni went to Darshana. The team later took Khalek into custody and left for Gangni with him for further legal proceedings.
Tariq, a sub-inspector at the Darshana immigration checkpost, said Khalek had been preparing to travel to India on a medical visa for treatment. According to the officer, the verification of his documents raised questions about his status, prompting authorities to seek information from Gangni.
The police said a case was filed against Khalek at Gangni Police Station on 13 April 2025 under Sections 15(3) and 25D of the Special Powers Act, 1974. The case is recorded as Gangni Police Station Case No. 15. He was shown arrested in that case.
The arrest took place as Khalek was attempting to leave Bangladesh for medical treatment, according to the information provided by the immigration authorities. Police action followed the confirmation of the case during the verification process at the border checkpoint.
However, Khalek’s son, Asif Reza, has disputed the circumstances surrounding his father’s arrest. He said Khalek had been suffering from health problems for a considerable period and had a blockage in his heart. According to Asif, arrangements had been made to take his father to India for bypass surgery.
Asif also claimed that Khalek had already secured bail in all the cases filed against him. His statement presents a different account of his father’s legal status from the information cited by police in connection with Thursday’s arrest.
The Darshana immigration checkpost is an important land entry and exit point for passengers travelling between Bangladesh and India. Travellers crossing through such checkpoints are required to undergo document verification before being permitted to leave the country. In Khalek’s case, the verification process led authorities to seek additional information before allowing him to proceed.
M A Khalek is a resident of Thana Road in Gangni Bazar, Meherpur. He serves as the general secretary of the Meherpur district unit of the Awami League.
Police have taken him to Gangni following the arrest, where further legal procedures related to the case are expected to be carried out. The available information does not provide further details about the other cases reportedly filed against him or their current legal status.
