No list made of businessmen having close links with Pori Moni, other arrestees: DMP

A quarter with vested interest has started blackmailing businesspersons, saying their names are in the law enforcers' lists of persons having contact with actress Pori Moni and two models who were arrested.

A sense of panic prevails among them after receiving such calls. Many of them told police that they received such calls though they never met the concerned arrestees, police said.  

Dhaka Metropolitan Police have received at least three such complaints. Some others verbally informed police about such calls.

"We have received complaints that some people are trying to extort money during this developing situation… We have not prepared any such list," Dhaka Metropolitan Police Commissioner Shafiqul Islam said.

The commissioner asked the businesspersons to inform police immediately if anyone tried to extort money over the phone.

"We do not want such panic to spread; neither do we want to disgrace anyone without any cause. Everyone has to act responsibly so that none becomes victim of media trial," the commissioner said.

A top DMP official said, "Businessmen are telling us that they are seriously concerned. One of them said at least five persons called him for extortion money, threatening that they would leak some photos and videos to media, even though he never had such photos taken"

"We fear disgrace through media and social media trial," the official quoted the businessman as saying.

The Criminal Investigation Department of police is investigating the cases filed against Pori Moni, models Faria Mahbub Piyasha and Moriom Akter Mou, their associate Mishu Hasan, producer Nazrul Islam Raz and expelled Awami League leader Helena Jahangir.