Actress Pori Moni in court for cross-examination

Actress Shamsunnahar Smriti, popularly known as Pori Moni, has appeared in court for her cross-examination in the case of assault and sexual harassment at the Savar Boat Club.

She appeared before the Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal at 11am on Monday.

Her lawyer, Nilanjana Rifat Surovi, said: “The cross-examination of Pori Moni has been scheduled. The defence lawyers will question her.”

On Jun 8, 2021, Pori Moni ignited heated discussions when she alleged that she was harassed at the boat club in Savar’s Birulia on the banks of the Turag River.

On Jun 13 that year, Pori Moni wrote in a Facebook post: “I have been subjected to physical abuse. An attempt was made to rape and murder me. I want justice.”

The post, addressing the prime minister, quickly spread on social media. An hour later, the actress held a press conference at her Gulshan home and presented her allegations. The following day, the actress filed a case with the Savar Model Police Station, alleging attempted rape, attempted murder, and assault.”

Immediately after the case was filed, the Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch arrested businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmood and his friend Tuhin Siddique Omi from their house in Uttara’s Sector No. 1. After an investigation, Savar Model Police Station Inspector Kamal Hossain filed a charge sheet in the court on Sept 7, naming three suspects.

The suspects are Nasir, Tuhin Siddiqui Ami, and Shahidul Alam.

On May 18, 2022, the court indicted the suspects and started the trial.

The hearing of testimony began on Nov 29 that year with the recording of partial statements from Pori Moni. She completed her testimony on Sept 22 last year.