A Dhaka court on Tuesday finally granted bail to film actress Pori Moni in a case filed under the Narcotics Control Act, 26 days after her arrest.
Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayesh passed the bail order.
“Now there’s no bar to release her from jail,” said her lawyer Mujibur Rahman.
Pori Moni was granted bail on a bond of Tk 20,000 until police submit the chargesheet in the drug case.
On August 22, Pori Moni was sent to jail after inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Kazi Golam Mostafa produced her in the court on completion of a one-day remand. No bail petition was submitted on her behalf on this day.
On August 22, Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge KM Emrul Kayesh set September 13 for hearing the bail petition of Pori Moni in the case.
Later, she appealed to the High Court challenging its validity. The interim bail of the actress was also sought in the petition.
The High Court on August 26 issued a rule seeking explanation as to why a lower court order fixing September 13 for hearing the bail petition of Pori Moni in a case under the Narcotics Control Act should not be cancelled.
The court also asked why the bail application would not be heard within two days.
Pori Moni had been remanded thrice for interrogation by police since Rab arrested her on August 4 from her Banani residence.
Later, a case was filed against the popular Dhallywood actress for illegal possession of alcohol and drugs in her house.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was tasked with investigating the charges brought against her.
They took over the case from the Detective Branch (DB) of police and were carrying out the investigation.
Film actress Pori Moni and her associate Nazrul Islam Raj were ringleaders of an organised gang , said Commander Khandaker Al Moin, director of Legal and Media Wing of Rab, in a media briefing on August 6.
Bangladesh Film Actors’ Association (Bangladesh Cholochitro Shilpi Samity) suspended the membership of Pori Moni two days after her arrest at a press briefing held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC).
Expressing his frustration over the decision, Shakib Khan wrote from his official Facebook page: “I have noticed that after the arrest of Pori Moni only on the basis of allegations, the Film Actors’ Association has hastily held a press conference and suspended her membership, without extending any hand of cooperation to her at this crucial moment.”
“This behaviour of the association is really very mysterious. Many conscientious senior-junior artistes and cultural activists have regrets about the issue. This is an inhumane treatment of the organization against her. The question remains, in whose interest is the current Film Artists Association?” Shakib Khan wrote on the post.
