Three members of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) have been immediately withdrawn from duty following allegations that Bangladesh national cricket team off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was mistakenly identified as a smuggling suspect, detained, assaulted and harassed during an operation in Chattogram. A criminal case has also been filed against two police officers and a police informant in connection with the incident.
CMP officials said departmental proceedings have also been initiated against the accused personnel.
The incident occurred on Friday night (June 12) in the city's Lalkhan Bazar area and sparked widespread reaction on social media and within the country's sporting community. On Saturday morning (June 13), Nayeem’s brother Sabbir Alam filed a case with Khulshi Police Station.
The accused in the case are Sub-Inspector (SI) Shafiqul Islam, Constable Rasel and police informant Sohel. They have been charged with assault and attempted abduction. Meanwhile, SI Shafiqul Islam, Constable Russell, and another constable involved in the operation have been withdrawn from active duty and attached to the police lines.
Speaking to journalists, Nayeem Hasan said he returned to Chattogram on Friday night after completing his Dhaka Premier League commitments. He arrived at Shah Amanat International Airport at around 10.20 pm and boarded a CNG-run auto-rickshaw for his home. At approximately 11.30 pm, several individuals stopped his vehicle in the Lalkhan Bazar area.
According to Nayeem, the men initially claimed he was a wanted suspect and attempted to force him into a vehicle. Despite identifying himself and requesting that his belongings be searched, he was allegedly grabbed by the neck, forced into a CNG and physically assaulted.
He alleged that even after showing his national team identification card, SI Shafiqul Islam struck him on the waist with a baton while another individual accompanying the officers beat him with a pipe. Nayeem claimed that although hundreds of bystanders confirmed his identity, the officers ignored them.
Nayeem also questioned why he was allegedly being transported in an auto-rickshaw despite the police having an official vehicle at the scene, saying the situation appeared suspicious.
He was later taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he regained access to his mobile phone and contacted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal. Subsequently, BCB Director Israfil Khasru and other officials communicated with the police regarding the matter.
“Because this happened to me, many people stood by my side. But if this had happened to an ordinary citizen, perhaps no one would have come forward. I want a proper investigation and justice,” Nayeem said.
Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman said that SI Shafiqul Islam had not informed him about the operation beforehand. “After Nayeem was brought to the station, we learned that he was a national team cricketer. We apologized and allowed him to leave with due respect,” he said.
OC said that three police personnel had been withdrawn after the preliminary investigation found merit in the allegations.
Police sources said that although Khulshi Police Station SI Monirul Islam was on leave in Dhaka, he reportedly informed SI Shafiqul Islam that a CNG auto-rickshaw might be transporting smuggled gold. The operation was allegedly conducted based on intelligence received from another agency.
However, questions have emerged regarding whether the information was properly verified and whether legal procedures were followed during the operation.
CMP North Division Deputy Commissioner Amirul Islam said, “The operation was conducted based on intelligence related to smuggling. However, we are investigating the accuracy of the information and whether all necessary procedures were followed. At first glance, certain irregularities appear to have occurred. Appropriate departmental action will be taken against those responsible.”
News of Nayeem being taken to the police station quickly spread, prompting relatives, friends, local sports enthusiasts, and supporters to gather outside the station late at night. They demanded a fair investigation and punishment for those involved.
Nayeem Hasan, a native of Chattogram, is a regular off-spinner for the Bangladesh national cricket team. In 2018, at the age of 17 years and 356 days, he became the youngest bowler in Test history to take a five-wicket haul on debut, achieving the feat against the West Indies. The recent incident has drawn criticism and concern from across Bangladesh’s cricket community.