Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader today said Jubo Mohila League leader Shamima Nur Papia was arrested as per the instruction of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

"She [prime minister] knew about Shamima Nur Papia. She asked the authorities concerned to arrest her [Papia] and bring her under trial after an investigation," said Quader, also Awami League general secretary, while talking to reporters after attending a programme of the ministry's Bridge Division in the capital.  

Quader said BNP could not create any example by arresting their leaders, who committed crimes, when they were in power, but Sheikh Hasina has presented her honest courage to arrest dishonest leaders.

No one will be spared if he or she commits crime, added the AL leader.

According to Rapid Action Battalion, Papia -- aided by her husband Mofizur Rahman Sumon -- ran sex trade and arms rackets.

The couple was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Saturday. Later, she was expelled from Jubo Mohila League.