Dhaka's Chief Judicial Magistrate Court has ordered the initiation of a trial against actress Pori Moni in response to charges of assault, vandalism, and intimidation filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud.
Alongside the charge framing, the court has also issued an arrest warrant for the actress.
The decision came on Sunday (25 January), when the court rejected a time plea made by Pori Moni’s lawyer, Nilanjana Rifaat Suravi.
The arrest warrant follows a formal request filed on Thursday, 23 January, by Nasir Uddin’s legal representative, Abul Kalam Mohammad Sohel, seeking the issuance of an arrest order in connection with a case of attempted murder.
This was heard by Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Saiful Islam, who deferred a final decision at the time, later passing the ruling for the arrest.
According to the investigation report submitted by PBI Inspector Md. Monir Hossain, the charges of assault and intimidation against Pori Moni and her costume designer, Junayed Bogdadi Jimmy alias Jim, have been substantiated.
However, allegations against another accused, Fatima Tuz Jannat Bani, were found to be baseless.
The case, originally filed by Nasir Uddin Mahmud in July 2022, claims that Pori Moni and her associates habitually frequent high-end clubs and consume alcohol without paying.
Furthermore, it alleges that Pori Moni used her connections within the police to harass others through false cases.
The incident at the Boat Club in Savar on the night of 9 June 2021, is at the centre of the allegations.
It is claimed that after refusing to give away a bottle of Blue Label whisky without charge, the actress verbally abused Nasir and threw objects, including a serving glass and a mobile phone, injuring him in the process.
The incident reportedly escalated with threats of violence and property damage.
In retaliation, Pori Moni allegedly filed a counter-case, accusing Nasir Uddin and others of attempted rape and attempted murder, in an effort to suppress the scandal.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Pori Moni took to Facebook recently to express frustration over barriers to her career.
Reflecting on the growing challenges faced by artists, she wrote, “Why is there so much opposition? Why are we not safe in this free country? Why are we always hindered in our work?”
She also alluded to the harassment endured by fellow artists, including Mehjabin and Porshi, raising concerns about the increasing restrictions on the entertainment industry.
