Attempted rape of Pori Moni: 5 including prime accused Nasir arrested

Five persons including Nasir U Mahmud, former president of Uttara Club Limited, were arrested today after actress Pori Moni filed a case with Savar Police Station over attempted rape and murder.

A team of detectives carried out a raid at a house in Uttara Sector-1 and made the arrest after Savar police sought help from Dhaka Metropolitan Police in this regard, said Harun or Rashid, joint commissioner (North) of Detective Branch of DMP.

The four other arrestees are: Tuhin Siddique Omi (33), Lipi Akter (18), Sumi Akter (19), and Nazma Ameen Snigdha (24).

DB officials recovered local and foreign alcohol and 1,000 pieces of yaba during the raid.

"I'm a victim… What's being said is completely false," Nasir told reporters in Uttara during his arrest.

Two of the arrestees are FIR named accused in the case filed by the actress while three others are their associates, Harun or Rashid said during an on-the-spot briefing.  

"We will interrogate them. If needed, we will seek remand for them," he told reporters. 

Detectives will file a case under Narcotics Control Act against the five as drugs and alcohol were recovered during the raid, he said.

Nasir, however, claimed that he was framed. He admitted that he was present at the club on that day.

"They entered the club when I was leaving. A man was with them and all were drunk. They tried to forcibly take expensive alcohol from the bar," he said.

Nasir said he was targeted as he prevented them from taking the alcohol, as they were not members of the club.

DB official Harun said the accused used to hold parties at the Uttara house -- from where they were arrested -- and different clubs, often exploiting young women.

The DB official said they received verbal complaints from several other persons against the accused. Detectives will take legal action if anyone officially files complaints.    

Detectives came to know that those arrested, including Nasir, are involved in alcohol trading, Harun said, adding they will investigate the allegations.

Meanwhile, Dhaka Boat Club authorities expelled Nasir from its executive committee (EC) and suspended his membership during a meeting presided over by its President and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dr Benazir Ahmed today, according to a press release.

Eight other EC committee members including its Adviser Rubel Aziz attended the meeting.

The meeting also suspended membership of Tuhin Siddique Omi and Shah S Alam.

The meeting also formed a 3-member inquiry committee and asked it to submit the findings before the EC committee within 72 hours.

Nasir was violating club rules in allowing guests inside the club premises after hours, which is a major violation and goes against norms of the social club, the EC members observed