HC stays drug case proceedings for 3 months against Pori Moni

The High Court on Tuesday stayed the drug case proceedings for three months filed against Dhallywood actress Shamsunnahar Smrity, popularly known by her stage name Pori Moni, and two of her associates, under Narcotics Control Act filed by the Rapid Action Battalion.

The HC also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why the case charge framed order against Pori Moni in the drug case should not be declared illegal.

The HC bench comprising Justice Mostafa Zaman Islam and Justice Md Salim came up with the order and rule.

Advocate ZI Khan Panna and Syeda Nasrin appeared for Pori Moni while deputy attorney general Abu Yahiha Dulal represented the state during the hearing on the petition.

Earlier on January 5 this year, the trial court framed charges against the trio in a case filed under Narcotics Control Act filed by the Rapid Action Battalion.

The others are Ashraful Islam Dipu and Kabir Hossain.

RAB detained Pori Moni and Dipu on August 4, 2021 in her Banani house where the force seized bottles of alcohol and narcotics.

On the following day, the two were shown arrested in the case filed with the Banani Police Station.

Later, Kabir was shown arrested in the same case.

On September 1, Pori Moni was released 1 on interim bail, four weeks after her arrest and three phases of police interrogation.

On October 4, the Criminal Investigation Department submitted a charge-sheet against Pori Moni and the two others in the case.

Earlier on October 26, a Dhaka court granted bail to them.

RAB’s director of legal and media wing Khandaker Al Moin in a press briefing on August 6 claimed that Pori Moni and her associate Nazrul Islam Raj are leaders of an organised criminal gang.