A Supreme Court lawyer has issued a legal notice to actress Pori Moni, demanding an unconditional apology over alleged harassment of journalists at a court premises and a controversial social media post involving Bangladesh’s national anthem.
 
Advocate Khandaker Hasan Shahriar sent the notice on Sunday, 8 November, to Pori Moni, whose real name is Shamsunnahar Smriti, as well as the president and general secretary of the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association.
 
The notice gives the actress seven days to submit a written apology for the incident at the court premises. It also asks her to refrain from using obscene language, making threats, performing or displaying obscene acts and gestures, or engaging in nudity or semi-nude performances that have no artistic or educational value.
 
The association’s president and general secretary have also been asked to issue a show-cause notice and take disciplinary action against her within the same period. Otherwise, the lawyer warned, he would pursue legal action.
 
The notice refers to an incident on 5 November, when Pori Moni surrendered before a court in a case filed by businessman Nasir Uddin Mahmud and secured bail.
 
As she walked towards the courtroom after getting out of her car at around 11:40am, journalists attempted to photograph and film her. A confrontation reportedly broke out between them and her security personnel.
 
According to the notice, Pori Moni took away the mobile phone of Samakal multimedia reporter Robiul Hossain, while her security guards allegedly broke the tripod he used for recording.
 
Several journalists, including Jago News reporter Ashikuzzaman, multimedia reporter Abdullah Al Kawsar, Agamir Shomoy reporter Siam Hossain and Times Today journalist Shah Riaz, reportedly sustained injuries. A court visitor, Sujon Chandra Moni Das, also suffered a head injury centering their mayhem.
 
The notice further alleges that, after leaving the court, Pori Moni confronted Robiul Hossain, whose right hand has a congenital disability.
 
It claims she used abusive language and threatened to run him over and kill him. The incident was reportedly captured on video and circulated by media outlets.
 
Shahriar argued that such behaviour towards a journalist undermines professional dignity and threatens the environment necessary for independent journalism. He also questioned the use of private security personnel to control the situation inside court premises.
 
The lawyer additionally raised concerns over a Facebook post published from Pori Moni’s verified account on November 6.
 
The notice alleges that she used Bangladesh’s national anthem as background music alongside a caption containing obscene language. It argues that the post disrespected the national anthem and prompted widespread criticism on social media.
 
The notice cites Article 4(1) of the Constitution, which recognises the first 10 lines of ‘Amar Sonar Bangla’ as Bangladesh’s national anthem.
 
It also refers to the Bangladesh National Anthem, Flag and Emblem Order, 1972, and its 2010 amendment, which provides for penalties of up to two years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 10,000, or both for violations.
 
The lawyer also cited Sections 503 and 506 of the Penal Code concerning criminal intimidation, including threats to kill, as well as Section 504 on intentional insult and Sections 499 and 500 on defamation.
 
Shahriar argued that celebrities carry a responsibility to act carefully because young people often imitate their behaviour, language and public conduct.
 
He also criticised the Bangladesh Film Artistes’ Association for allegedly failing to take organisational or legal action against Pori Moni over the incidents, claiming that its inaction had damaged the organisation’s reputation.

Source: TIMES