Popular Bangladeshi film actress Shamsunnahar Smrity, widely known as Pori Moni, has been served a legal notice demanding an unconditional written apology within seven days over allegations of harassing journalists at a court premises and using the national anthem of Bangladesh in the background of a Facebook post containing obscene language.
Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Khondaker Hasan Shahriar sent the legal notice on Sunday (November 8) to the actress, as well as the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artists’ Association.
The notice demands that Pori Moni issue a written and unconditional apology over her alleged behaviour towards journalists at the court premises. It also urges her to refrain from using obscene language, threatening individuals, or engaging in obscene performances and gestures in the future.
The lawyer has warned that further legal action may be taken if the demands are not met within the stipulated seven-day period.
What Happened at the Court Premises?
According to the legal notice, the incident took place on November 5, when Pori Moni appeared before a Dhaka court and secured bail in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud.
The notice alleges that at around 11:40am, as the actress arrived at the court premises and was heading towards the courtroom, journalists attempted to take photographs and record videos of her.
An altercation reportedly broke out between the journalists and members of her security team during the incident.
According to the notice, Pori Moni allegedly took away the mobile phone of Samakal multimedia journalist Robiul Hossain. It further claims that members of her security team damaged the journalist’s video tripod.
Several journalists were reportedly injured during the confrontation. The notice names Jago News journalist Ashikuzzaman, multimedia journalist Abdullah Al Kawser, Agami Shomoy journalist Siam Hossain and Times Today journalist Shah Riaz among those allegedly injured. A visitor to the court, identified as Sujan Chandra Moni, was also reportedly injured.
These allegations have been raised in the legal notice and have not been established through a final judicial decision.
Alleged Threats Against a Journalist
The legal notice also describes an alleged confrontation between Pori Moni and Robiul Hossain after the court proceedings.
It claims that when the actress was leaving the court premises, she approached the Samakal journalist and verbally abused him during an argument. She allegedly threatened to run him over with her vehicle.
The notice highlights that Robiul Hossain has three fingers missing from his right hand, which reportedly makes some everyday activities difficult for him.
The lawyer described the alleged treatment of the journalist as a matter of concern, particularly because journalists were performing their professional duties at the court premises.
However, the allegations remain disputed, and the circumstances surrounding the incident have yet to be conclusively established.
Controversy Over the Use of the National Anthem
Another major issue raised in the legal notice concerns a Facebook post published by Pori Moni on November 6.
According to the notice, the actress shared a post containing obscene language with Bangladesh’s national anthem, Amar Sonar Bangla, playing in the background.
Advocate Khondaker Hasan Shahriar argued that using the national anthem alongside obscene or offensive content could amount to disrespect towards a national symbol.
The notice refers to Article 4(1) of the Constitution of Bangladesh, which recognises Amar Sonar Bangla as the national anthem.
It also cites the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972, and the National Anthem Rules, 1978.
The lawyer has raised the issue as a matter requiring legal consideration, arguing that the national anthem should be treated with due dignity and respect.
Pori Moni’s Version of the Court Incident
Pori Moni had earlier given her account of the confrontation to the media.
She claimed that someone grabbed her hand while she was trying to enter a lift at the court premises, causing her pain. She later identified the person as journalist Robiul Hossain.
According to the actress, a mobile phone and tripod were obstructing her way into the lift. She said she attempted to move the equipment aside, after which someone pulled her hand.
Robiul Hossain, however, reportedly denied obstructing her or touching her. He alleged that Pori Moni moved his mobile phone and subsequently behaved aggressively towards him.
He also claimed that he was verbally abused and threatened.
The two sides have therefore presented conflicting accounts of the incident. An independent investigation would be necessary to establish exactly what happened.
Journalists’ Organisation Condemns the Incident
The alleged confrontation has also drawn reactions from journalists’ organisations.
The Digital Reporters Forum (DRF) expressed concern and condemned the reported harassment of journalists at the court premises.
The organisation called for a fair and impartial investigation into the incident and demanded appropriate action against anyone found responsible.
It also stressed that journalists should be able to perform their professional duties without intimidation or obstruction, particularly at important public institutions such as court premises.
Background: The Case Involving Businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud
The latest controversy comes amid an ongoing legal dispute between Pori Moni and businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud.
According to media reports, Nasir filed a case against the actress at a Dhaka court on July 6, 2022.
He alleged that Pori Moni and her associates vandalised property, assaulted him and threatened to kill him at a club in Savar on the night of June 9, 2021.
Pori Moni, on the other hand, had earlier filed a separate case against Nasir and others, accusing them of rape and attempted murder.
The two cases have remained part of the legal disputes surrounding the actress.
On November 4, a Dhaka court reportedly cancelled Pori Moni’s bail in the case filed by Nasir and issued an arrest warrant against her.
She appeared before the court the following day, November 5, and secured bail on a bond of Tk 500.
The confrontation with journalists reportedly occurred as she was leaving the court after obtaining bail.
Lawyer Says Further Legal Action May Follow
Advocate Khondaker Hasan Shahriar said the legal notice was intended to seek an unconditional apology from the actress and draw the attention of the Film Artists’ Association to the allegations.
He also called on the association’s president and general secretary to issue a show-cause notice to Pori Moni and consider appropriate organisational action.
According to the lawyer, the next course of action would depend partly on the response from the actress and the association.
He indicated that further legal steps could be considered if the demands outlined in the notice were not addressed.
The lawyer also said that the journalist concerned could pursue a separate legal case over the alleged threats and harassment.
What Happens Next?
The next seven days will be important in determining how the matter develops.
Pori Moni has been asked to provide a written, unconditional apology within seven days of receiving the legal notice. The Bangladesh Film Artists’ Association has also been asked to take action regarding the allegations.
If the demands are not met, the lawyer has indicated that further legal proceedings may follow.
However, serving a legal notice does not mean that the allegations have been legally proven. Any determination of wrongdoing or violation of the law would require appropriate legal proceedings and consideration of the responses from the parties involved.
As of November 8, no formal response from Pori Moni regarding the latest legal notice had been established in the reports referenced above.