A Dhaka court has issued an arrest warrant for Bangladeshi film actress Shamsunnahar Smriti, popularly known as Pori Moni, after cancelling her bail in an attempted murder and assault case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud.
Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahfuzur Rahman passed the order at the Dhaka court following a scheduled hearing for witness testimony.
Pori Moni failed to appear before the court during the proceedings. Her defence counsel submitted an application seeking additional time, explaining that the actress was unable to attend due to severe allergic complications. Opposing the time plea, the prosecution pressed for the immediate cancellation of her bail. Upon hearing arguments from both sides, the magistrate rejected the defence’s petition, revoked her bail status, and directed law enforcement agencies to execute the arrest warrant.
This is not the first instance of legal escalation in the protracted dispute. The judicial magistrate had previously framed charges against Pori Moni, initiating the formal trial. An arrest warrant was also issued when she missed an earlier court date, though she subsequently surrendered to the court and secured bail.
The legal battle originated in July 2021 when Nasir Uddin Mahmud, former president of the Dhaka Boat Club, filed a complaint with the Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Court. The case named Pori Moni along with two of her associates: her costume designer Junaid Bogdadi Jimmy, also known as Jim, and Fatema Tuz Jannat Boni.
According to the case statement, Pori Moni and her companions entered the Dhaka Boat Club in Savar late on the night of 9 June 2021. The complainant alleged that the group consumed alcohol at the premises and demanded a premium bottle of liquor free of charge to take away. When club officials refused to comply with the request, Pori Moni allegedly hurled verbal abuse at Nasir. The altercation escalated when the actress threw a serving glass and her mobile phone at the businessman, causing injuries to his head and chest. Nasir further accused the group of vandalising club property and threatening him.
Following an initial review, the court instructed the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to conduct a thorough inquiry. PBI Inspector Mohammad Monir Hossain later submitted the investigation report to the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, confirming prima facie evidence of assault and intimidation against Pori Moni and her costume designer Jimmy. The report, however, cleared Fatema Tuz Jannat Boni of all charges.
The court accepted the PBI’s findings and summoned Pori Moni and Jimmy to appear. Both accused subsequently secured bail upon appearing before the Senior Judicial Magistrate Court in June 2024. Wednesday’s ruling marks a critical development in the ongoing legal proceedings, placing the actress under renewed risk of detention.
