Yesterday, actress Pori Moni went live on her official Facebook page to respond to recent media coverage surrounding allegations made by a domestic worker.

Pinky Akter, the worker in question, filed a General Diary (GD) at Dhaka's Vatara Police Station, claiming that Pori Moni physically assaulted her over an issue related to feeding the actress's one-year-old daughter.

Later that night, Pori Moni addressed the incident in a Facebook Live, calling it a "media trial" and expressing deep concern over how the issue has been reported. She stated that while she possesses all the necessary evidence, she is choosing not to release it on social media out of respect for the legal process. 

She urged the media to refrain from delivering a one-sided narrative before the facts are verified.

Photo: Collected

"Anyone familiar with my life over the past few years would know how deeply I value the people who work with me. My life revolves around them. I've celebrated my most personal occasions—Father's Day, Valentine's Day—with them because they're like family to me. I live with them, and they are a part of my everyday world," said Pori Moni during the live.

"A case has been filed, and I believe it should proceed through legal channels. But my question is—couldn't the media have waited? The mental distress this coverage has caused me is beyond words. The way she was interviewed, the platform she was given—are we now justifying any and every GD by giving it airtime without fact-checking?" she added.

Pori stated in the live broadcast that the police came to her house last night between 9:00pm and 9:30pm and questioned everyone in the house.

"It's not about whether this has made me look small or big—if I've done something wrong, then I definitely deserve to be punished. Anyone can make an accusation, but will you declare someone guilty before it's even proven?" she questioned.

Referring to past experiences, she said, "I've been through this before. When I was falsely accused and jailed—7 days in remand and 20 days in custody—the media was relentless. Headlines like 'What did Pori Moni eat in jail?' or 'Which jail did she eat in?' were written not for the sake of attaining viewership. Even then, I chose not to speak out because I believed in the power of the law. I still do."

Photo: Collected

"All I want is peace—for myself and my two children. I have a domestic helper who has worked with me for nine years. My current driver has been with me for four years, and the previous one worked for five. None of them have ever made any allegations against me. And now, someone who stayed for barely a month is making such accusations?" she asked.

"My staff are like my family. They've stood by me during my darkest times—when I was battling depression and had no one else. They prepare my meals, send me off to work, and keep my world running. So please, don't reduce them—or me—to headlines without truth."

Read more

Eid is all about family: Pori Moni shares her heartfelt plans with her children

According to the complaint filed on Thursday, April 3, at Vatara Police Station, Pinky Akter alleged that she was assaulted over feeding Pori Moni's daughter. She claimed the attack caused her to lose consciousness, after which she called the national emergency helpline, 999, and the police came and took her from that place.