Pori Moni case takes a new turn

Just a day after Shamsunnahar Smrity – better known by her screen name Pori Moni – lodged complaints with the police claiming to be a victim of attempted rape and murder at the Dhaka Boat Club, the All Community Club in Gulshan accused the actress of vandalism and violent behavior.

The executive committee of All Community Club made the allegations on Wednesday, adding that Pori Moni and her two friends visited its bar around 1am on 8 June and destroyed at least 15 glasses, some plates and ashtrays.

Responding to the allegations, Pori Moni said, "Why is this incident an issue? This is a conspiracy. Why is this matter coming forward now? A certain quarter is highlighting this to cover up the torture and harassment I have faced."

During Wednesday's press brief, All Community Club President Alamgir Iqbal said, "Pori Moni acted in a violent and inappropriate manner on that day. Her actions created chaos at the club. One of her friends was wearing shorts, which is a clear violation of the club dress code.

"When club staff asked her to leave the premises, Pori Moni dialed 999 and lodged a complaint to the police. A police team soon arrived at the club and caught Pori Moni in the act of vandalising the club. She and her friends later left the premises following a police request."

Alamgir added that the club did not lodge any complaints to the police, but served a show cause notice to a club member who brought Pori Moni inside.

Acknowledging the allegation, Gulshan police station Inspector (Investigation) Aminul Islam said a team had visited the club on the night of that incident after getting a call at 999. "The patrol team convinced her to leave the club after witnessing her breaking glasses there."

Besides, Deputy Commissioner of Gulshan Division Sudip Kumar Chakraborty told The Business Standard, "We have been informed about this incident, but received no written complaints as yet."

The incident took place a day before the actress allegedly suffered attempted rape and murder in the Dhaka Boat Club in Savar.

In another development, police raided two recruiting agencies' offices owned by Tuhin Siddique Omi, one of the accused in the attempted rape case filed by actress Pori Moni.

Two associates of Omi were arrested and 102 passports were seized during the raid, said DMP Uttara Division Deputy Commissioner Saiful Islam. A Dhaka Court has placed the arrestees Kazi Basir and Moshiur Mia in a two-day remand.

Police said that they raided the Singapore Training Centre and another travel agency early Wednesday and arrested the duo. The arrestees could not clarify why those passports were kept at their office.

The police were verifying whether those passports were fake or kept there for some other purpose.

A new case has been filed against Tuhin Siddiqui Omi and his associates, under the Bangladesh Passport (Offences) Act 1920.

Omi and businessman Nasiruddin Mahmood are now in police custody for interrogation after they were arrested on Monday in a case filed over the attempted rape and murder Pori Moni.

Before the arrest on Monday, the prime accused of the case, businessman Nasiruddin Mahmood had rejected the allegations.

Biplob Goswami, Assistant Commissioner of DMP's Dakshinkhan zone said a team of Savar Police Station led by Abdullah Hil Kafi, additional superintendent (Savar Circle) in Collaboration with DMP carried out the drive and seized 102 passports from Omi's "Singapore Training Centre" in the Capital's Dakshinkhan area.

Biplob Ghowsami also said the investigation officer of the Pori Moni case from Savar Police Station carried out the drive and seized the passports.

Tuhin Siddiqui Omi, along with businessman Nasiruddin Mahmud, was arrested on Monday in a case filed over attempted rape and murder of Pori Moni. They were placed on a seven-day remand each in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act.

Pori Moni, in a press conference on Sunday, alleged that she had been sexually assaulted and threatened with murder at Dhaka Boat Club on 9 June after midnight.