Pori Moni cross-examination deferred again, next date Nov 30

Actress Pori Moni’s cross-examination in a case filed over allegations of attempted rape, attempted murder and assault was deferred again on Sunday (August 9) after she failed to reach court on time, with her lawyer citing severe traffic congestion.

The Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-9 set November 30 as the next date for her cross-examination in the case against businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmood, Tuhin Siddiqui Aumi and Shahidul Alam.

The hearing was scheduled before Judge Shahadat Hossain Bhuiyan on Sunday. At the beginning of the proceedings, Pori Moni’s lawyer, Nilanjana Rifat Surobhi, told the court that the actress was on her way and requested that the case be kept for cross-examination around noon. The court granted the request.

However, Pori Moni failed to appear even after the case was called twice at the scheduled time. Her lawyer told the court that she was stuck in traffic and could not reach the tribunal in time.

As proceedings in the other cases on the day’s docket had concluded, the court wrapped up its business before the cross-examination could begin. The accused also left the court premises, and the tribunal subsequently fixed November 30 for the next hearing.

Of the three accused, Nasir Uddin Mahmood and Tuhin Siddiqui Aumi appeared in court. Shahidul Alam was absent and sought a time extension, which the court granted. All three accused are currently out on bail.

The cross-examination has been postponed several times in the past for various reasons. In February, Pori Moni could not appear after undergoing surgery for appendicitis. On an earlier occasion, she cited her children’s illness following vaccination, while at another hearing she reportedly fell ill despite being present at court.

According to the case documents, Pori Moni filed the case with Savar Model Police Station on June 8, 2021, alleging that she had been subjected to an attempted rape, attempted murder and assault at Dhaka Boat Club on the bank of the Turag River in Birulia, near Dhaka.

Police submitted a charge sheet in September 2021, and charges were framed in 2022, formally beginning the trial.

The trial is currently being conducted in camera. Pori Moni’s cross-examination remains pending, with the next hearing scheduled for November 30.