Pori Moni's bail cancelled, arrest warrant issued in attempted murder case

A Dhaka court on Wednesday cancelled the bail of actress Pori Moni and issued an arrest warrant against her in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud over allegations of assault, vandalism and attempted murder.

Dhaka Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahfuzur Rahman passed the order after the actress, whose real name is Shamsunnahar Smrity, failed to appear at a scheduled hearing.

Mahmud appeared in court and sought cancellation of her bail.

Pori Moni's lawyer, Nilanjana Surabhi, told reporters that the actress could not attend the hearing due to a sudden illness.

The defence sought more time for her appearance, but the court rejected the petition, cancelled her bail and issued the arrest warrant, the lawyer said.

The case stems from a June 9, 2021, altercation at Dhaka Boat Club in Savar, after which Pori Moni filed a case against Mahmud and others alleging attempted rape and murder.

Mahmud subsequently filed a counter-case in July 2022, accusing the actress and her associates of assault, vandalism and attempted murder.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) later submitted a report finding evidence supporting Mahmud's allegations, prompting the court to take cognisance of the case.

In January 2025, a court issued an arrest warrant against Pori Moni in the same case after she failed to appear for a hearing.

She surrendered the following day and secured bail.