Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni has demanded exemplary punishment for the accused in a case over allegations of molestation, assault, threats, and sexual harassment.
She made the demand while speaking to reporters on the court premises Sunday.
The actress was scheduled to appear for cross‑examination but failed to reach on time due to traffic congestion. As a result, her testimony was not taken.
Judge Shahadat Hossain Bhuiyan of Dhaka’s Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal‑9 had set the hearing, but when the court’s allotted time expired, he left the bench. The next date for her cross‑examination has been fixed for 30 November.
Pori Moni left home in the morning to attend court but was stuck in traffic and missed the scheduled time. By then, proceedings had ended.
Speaking to journalists, she said: “I want the verdict as soon as possible, because all this is a huge hassle for me. It has already been five years in court. I don’t want this hassle anymore. Believe me, only those who go through it know what it feels like.”
She added: “I have respected the law, which is why I have waited these five years. The accused should be given exemplary punishment.”
Earlier, on 9 September last year, her cross‑examination was scheduled but she did not appear as her two children fell ill after vaccination. On 26 May last year, she did appear in court but became unwell, so her testimony could not be taken.
In the case, Pori Moni accused the defendants of molestation, assault, threats, and sexual harassment. The other accused are Nasir Uddin, Tuhin Siddiqui Omi, and Shahidul Alam, all currently out on bail.
On 14 June 2021, she filed the case at Savar Police Station, naming Nasir Uddin and Tuhin Siddiqui Omi along with four unidentified persons.
After investigation, on 6 September 2021, then‑Inspector Kamal Hossain of Savar Police Station submitted a charge sheet against Nasir and two others. On 18 May 2022, the court framed charges and ordered the trial to begin.
