Businessman Nasir Mahmood, Omi arrested

Detective police have arrested businessman Nasiruddin Mahmood and Omi in a case filed over rape and murder attempts on actor Shamsunnahar Smrity, popularly known as Pori Moni.

Harun Or Rashid, joint Commissioner of Detective Branch, confirmed it to media. The detectives also detained three young women, members of a DJ group, along with contraband yaba tablets, foreign liquors and beer from Uttara area. 

The detainees are being taken to DB office at Mintoo road in the capital.

“A fresh case under Narcotics Control Act will be filed after further investigation,” Mashiur Rahman, deputy commissioner of DB Gulshan division, told media.

Earlier in the day, Pori Moni filed a case against Nasiruddin, Omi and four others with the Savar Police Station over the incident. 

She filed the case under Women and Children Repression Prevention Act and Penal Code 307. Pori Moni, in a press conference on Sunday night alleged that Nasiruddin had assaulted and threatened to murder her at Dhaka Boat Club on Wednesday night.

What is in the case statement?

The incident took place on 8 June midnight when Pori Moni along with her younger sister Boni, costume designer Omi and some other companions went to Dhaka Boat Club of Beri Badh area in the capital’s Savar.

Pori Moni alleged that she was heading towards Uttara from her Banani residence around 11:30pm, but Omi took her to the club tactfully.

At the midst of the way, Omi said that he needed to go to Dhaka Boat Club for a 2-minute task. When they reached the club around 12:20am, it was found closed. However, Omi had a conversation with someone over phone and made arrangements to reopen the entrance of the club.

This time, he also tried to trick Pori Moni into entering the club in various ways. At one stage, they entered the club and Boni went to the loo beside the club bar.

As soon as they left the toilet, Nasiruddin Mahmud, former president of Uttara Club, appeared there, requested them to sit inside the bar for a while and offered liquor and coffee.

As they refused, Nasiruddin turned violent and forced Pori Moni to drink liquor. He also touched her indecently. Other companions, including costume designer Jimmy, came forward but failed to save Pori Moni from the assault. At one stage, she tried repeatedly to call the national emergency service at 999 but Nasiruddin snatched her phone.

Pori Moni alleged some four people, including her costume designer Omi, abetted the assault by Nasiruddin. Later, she somehow managed to get out of the club around 3 am and returned home with help of other companions. Pori Moni also alleged that the accused are now intimidating and threatening her in various ways.

I’m a victim of circumstances, Nasir says after arrest

During the arrest, accused Nasir told journalists that he was a ‘victim of circumstances’.

“I’m a director of the club. Most of the members and staff had left the club when Pori Moni and her friends came. They entered the club in an unruly manner and went straight to the bar counter,” he said.

Nasir went on, “They all were drunkards and tried to forcibly take expensive drinks. As the cluc secretary and security incharge were absent at that time, I refrained them from taking alcohol. I said that none except the members were allowed not take liquor bottles outside the clucb. At that time a scuffle took place and I called the security personnel. They rushed in and moved them outside.”    

“As a club official, I’ve discharged my responsiblity to protect the club’s property and discipline. That’s why I fell victim of the circumstances.” said Nasir.

"Pori Moni and her associates were trying to enter the club despite not being members of the Dhaka Boat Club. They were drunk and also tried to snatch some bottles of liquors," Nasir told journalists while being taken by police to the Detective Branch office.

Asked why the actress had made him the prime accused, he did not give any answer.  

Earlier, the actress filed a case with Savar Police Station accusing businessman Nasir U Mahmud, her friend Omi and four others.

I’m a victim of circumstances, says Nasir