Arrest warrant issued against filmmaker Chayanika Chowdhury

A Dhaka court on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant against filmmaker Chayanika Chowdhury in a cheque dishonor case.

Dhaka’s 7th Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Bulbul Islam passed the order. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Abdus Salam Himel, confirmed the information.

According to court sources, Tuesday was the scheduled date for the cross-examination of the plaintiff producer Rashedul Islam Riaz. The accused, Chayanika Chowdhury, did not appear in court.

The lawyer of Chayanika Chowdhury submitted a petition seeking more time, but the court rejected the request. The court also canceled her bail and issued an arrest warrant against her. Additionally, the court scheduled June 26 for presenting arguments in the case.

Earlier, on May 14, 2013, producer Rashedul Islam Riaz filed the case against Chayanika Chowdhury.

On June 2, 2014, Chayanika Chowdhury surrendered to the court and sought bail, which was granted by the court.

On August 7 of the same year, the case was transferred to the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge’s Court for trial. On February 10, 2015, the 7th Joint Metropolitan Sessions Judge formally framed charges against her.

As outlined in the case documents, producer Rashedul Islam Riaz and Chayanika Chowdhury signed an agreement on August 24, 2012, to produce a television drama titled 'Jibon Shundor Hok'.

As per the agreement, Riaz paid Chayanika Tk 230,000. However, she failed to move forward with the production. On October 30, 2012, Chayanika issued a cheque of the same amount to Riaz.

Later, when approached, she admitted her inability to complete the project. At his request for a refund, she asked him to cash the cheque in January 2013.

Despite several attempts, the cheque was dishonored each time. A legal notice was subsequently served, but with no response from Chayanika, Riaz proceeded to file a lawsuit in the court.