Actress Pori Moni insults journalists, snatches phone

Bangladeshi actress Pori Moni has drawn fresh controversy after allegedly snatching a journalist's mobile phone and verbally abusing him during a heated exchange with reporters outside a Dhaka court, shortly after securing bail in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud.

Pori Moni appeared before the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Mahfuzur Rahman in Dhaka on Thursday (Nov 5) and sought bail after surrendering. The court granted her bail against a bond of Tk 500. However, as she left the court premises and was getting into her car, she became involved in a heated exchange with journalists.

A video of the incident circulating on social media shows Pori Moni losing her temper with a media worker amid a chaotic scene involving security personnel. She is heard saying, "Why did you touch my body?" before repeatedly raising her hand and moving aggressively towards the journalist.

In response, the journalist denied touching her. He also asked why his tripod had been broken. Another person accompanying Pori Moni was also heard accusing the journalist of pushing and pulling her. The exchange grew increasingly heated.

Shahadat Tanim, multimedia chief of the daily Samakal, said Pori Moni had taken the mobile phone of their reporter, Rabiul Islam Raju. The phone was later returned. He said they would speak to Pori Moni before deciding on their next course of action.

On Wednesday (Nov 4), Pori Moni's bail was cancelled and an arrest warrant was issued against her after she failed to appear in court in the same case, on a day scheduled for witness testimony. Her lawyer, Nilanjana Rifat Survi, had sought an adjournment, saying the actress could not attend due to an allergy-related illness. The complainant's lawyer, meanwhile, sought cancellation of the accused's bail. After hearing both sides, the court cancelled Pori Moni's bail and ordered the issuance of an arrest warrant.

Pori Moni appeared in court on Thursday morning and surrendered through her lawyer before seeking bail again. The court granted her application after a hearing.

In July 2022, businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud filed a case against Pori Moni, accusing her of assault, vandalism, attempted murder and intimidation. On Jan 26 last year, the court ordered the trial to begin after framing charges in the case. An arrest warrant was also issued against her that day after she failed to appear in court. She later surrendered and secured bail.