A courtroom appearance turned chaotic on Thursday as actress Pori Moni arrived at Dhaka’s Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, triggering a scramble among journalists, curious onlookers and her personal security guards.
Pushing, shoving and frantic attempts to clear a path left several journalists injured and raised serious questions about security arrangements at the court.
Surrounded by at least 10 black-clad personal guards, Pori Moni struggled to make her way through the crowd. As people pressed in to get close to the actress, her guards pushed and pulled those blocking their way. The commotion visibly irritated her.
A court visitor, Sujan Chandra, also alleged that two of Pori Moni’s bodyguards pushed him and struck him on the head outside the court, leaving him bleeding. His elder brother told Prothom Alo that they had been there over a family land dispute.
Pori Moni arrived in a white car around 9:30am to surrender and seek bail after an arrest warrant was issued against her in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud. She reached the courtroom by lift at around 11:40am.
Her lawyer, Nelanjona Refat, filed a bail petition, which the court granted after a hearing. Pori Moni left around noon, but the tension continued. Her guards reportedly confronted journalists as they accompanied her out.
While getting into her car, Pori Moni accused a journalist of touching her. She seized his phone and verbally abused him. The phone was later returned.
In a video recorded outside the court, Pori Moni was also seen confronting a man whom she accused of touching her, saying, “Why did you touch me?” The man denied the allegation, replying, “Why would I touch you? I am recording a video.”
The incident prompted her lawyer to question the police’s security arrangements. She said authorities should have anticipated the crowd and ensured adequate protection, particularly as a female accused was appearing in court.
She noted that Pori Moni had regularly visited the court and maintained friendly relations with journalists. However, she said she had not witnessed Thursday’s incident firsthand and could not comment on exactly what had happened.
Describing the situation as unfortunate, she said proper police protection could have prevented the clashes involving journalists and her client. She also questioned why the authorities had failed to control the crowd.
On Wednesday, Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahfuzur Rahman rejected Pori Moni’s time petition and issued an arrest warrant against her in a case involving alleged vandalism at Savar’s Boat Club, assault and attempted murder.
The court had scheduled witness testimony that day, but Pori Moni did not appear. Her lawyer sought an adjournment, citing an allergy-related illness.
The plaintiff’s lawyer, Abul Kalam Mohammad Sohel, opposed the request, alleging that Pori Moni was deliberately avoiding court appearances to delay the proceedings.
After hearing both sides, the court rejected the petition and issued the arrest warrant. It scheduled the next hearing for 23 December.
On 6 July 2022, Boat Club president and businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud filed the case against Pori Moni and her two associates, Fatema Tuz Jannat Boni and Junaid Baghdadi Jimmy.
According to the complaint, the three visited Savar’s Boat Club on the night of 8 June 2021 and demanded complimentary parcels of expensive liquor. When the club authorities refused, they allegedly vandalised the premises.
The complaint further alleges that Pori Moni threw a glass and a mobile phone at Nasir, injuring him.
The case involves allegations of assault, vandalism, intimidation and attempted murder. The trial remains ongoing.
