Meherpur district Awami League general secretary M A Khalek was arrested at the Darshana immigration checkpost on Thursday while preparing to travel to India for medical treatment.
Khalek arrived at the immigration checkpost on the morning of 17 September with a medical visa, according to immigration authorities. During the verification of his travel documents, immigration police reportedly became suspicious and sought information about him from authorities in Gangni, Meherpur.
An inquiry through intelligence agencies subsequently found that several cases had been filed against him. He was then shown arrested in a case brought under the Special Powers Act, 1974.
Tariq, a sub-inspector at the Darshana immigration checkpost, said Khalek had been planning to travel to India for treatment. He said questions arose while officials were checking Khalek’s documents, prompting them to verify his details with authorities in Gangni.
Police said a case was filed 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. Khalek was shown arrested in connection with that case.
Following the arrest, a team of Detective Branch (DB) police from Gangni went to the Darshana checkpost. The team later took Khalek with them and headed towards Gangni for further legal proceedings.
The arrest occurred as Khalek was preparing to cross the Bangladesh-India border for medical treatment. Immigration checks at border points include verification of passengers’ travel documents and relevant information before they are permitted to leave the country. In this case, the process led authorities to seek additional information before allowing him to proceed.
Khalek’s family, however, has provided a different account of his circumstances. His son, Asif Reza, said his father had been suffering from illness for a long time and had a blockage in his heart. According to Asif, Khalek was being taken to India for bypass surgery.
Asif also claimed that his father had secured bail in all the cases filed against him. He said the planned journey was primarily driven by Khalek’s need for medical treatment.
The police statement and the family’s account therefore differ on the immediate legal circumstances surrounding the arrest. Police have cited the case under the Special Powers Act as the basis for showing Khalek arrested, while his son has stressed his father’s medical condition and claimed that he was already on bail in the cases against him.
M A Khalek is a resident of Thana Road in Gangni Bazar, Meherpur. He serves as the general secretary of the Meherpur district Awami League.
After being detained at the immigration checkpost, Khalek was taken towards Gangni by the DB police team. Further legal proceedings concerning the case are expected to take place there.
No further details were immediately available about the other cases reportedly filed against Khalek, including their specific sections or current legal status. The information provided by police also does not indicate whether any separate restriction had previously been imposed on his international travel.
