Actress Mehazabien Chowdhury on Sunday secured bail just hours after news of an arrest warrant in a case filed in March over allegations of embezzlement, fraud, and criminal intimidation flooded the media.

Dhaka Executive Magistrate Court-3 Judge Afroza Tania granted bail after Mehazabien and her brother, Alisan Chowdhury, who is also an accused in the case, surrendered before the court.

Court sources said that the accused had been summoned to appear before the court on 3 November, which they failed to comply with. The court then issued arrest warrants against them on 10 November, setting 18 December as the date for submission of the arrest execution report.

According to the case documents, the plaintiff, Amirul Islam – who claimed to have long been acquainted with Mehazabien – gave her a total of Tk27 lakh in cash and via bKash at various times to become her business partner. As the actress and her brother reportedly took no initiative to start the business for an extended period, Amirul repeatedly requested the return of his money, but they allegedly continued to delay.

On 16 March, when Amirul went to a restaurant beside Hatirjheel Road in Dhaka to reclaim his money, the accused, along with four to five unidentified persons, allegedly verbally abused him and threatened to kill him.

When Amirul approached Vatara Police Station regarding the incident, the authorities advised him to file a case in court.

Later, on 24 March, he filed the case with the Executive Magistrate’s Court in Dhaka under Sections 107/117(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure.

As the media broke the news on Sunday, Mehazabien, before surrendering in court, claimed in a post on her verified Facebook page that the allegations were baseless.

Expressing her position, she wrote, “I am not involved in any business activities that could lead to legal complications. I have always adhered to the nation’s laws, policies, and social values as an artist and a conscientious citizen.”

After securing bail, the actress was seen smiling and flashing a ‘V’ sign for victory to the media.