Two police personnel, including a sub-inspector (SI), have been suspended following allegations that Bangladesh National Cricket Team’s off-spinner Nayeem Hasan was assaulted and mistreated during an incident in the Chattogram City early Saturday.
The accused policemen are: SI Shafiqul Islam and Constable Russell.
A police source, named Sohel, has also been detained in connection with the incident.
Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khulshi Police Station Arifur Rahman said that SI Shafiqul Islam and Constable Russell, who were involved in the operation, were immediately removed from their posting after the allegations surfaced.
The OC said he was not informed about the operation in advance. “SI Shafiqul Islam did not inform me about the operation. I only learned about Nayeem’s identity after he was brought to the police station,” he said, adding that authorities later apologised and requested the cricketer to leave the station. However, the cricketer reportedly refused to leave until those responsible were held accountable, after which a case was filed.
According to the incident details, Nayeem Hasan returned to Chattogram from Dhaka by air at around 2am and was travelling home to the Chandgaon area in a CNG-run autorickshaw from the airport when he was intercepted near the Lalkhan Bazar flyover. He alleged that unidentified individuals stopped the vehicle, forced him out, and attempted to detain him without explanation.
The cricketer claimed that despite identifying himself, he was physically restrained, with police personnel allegedly grabbing him by the throat and forcing him into another autorickshaw. He further alleged that baton blows were used and that a plainclothes individual accompanying the team struck him with a plastic pipe.
Nayeem stated that he repeatedly questioned the reason for the action but received no explanation. He also said his vehicle documents were taken and that he was prevented from speaking freely during the confrontation. As the situation escalated, a large crowd reportedly gathered at the scene, with locals protesting after recognising him.
He was later taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he alleged that he was instructed to keep his head down while speaking. He further claimed that the behaviour of the policemen changed after receiving a phone call.
Nayeem’s father Mahbubul Alam, a former Chattogram City Corporation councillor and BNP leader, said he rushed to the police station upon hearing the news but initially faced restrictions in entering. He alleged that his son was mistreated even after his identity as a national cricketer was confirmed.
Later on, Nayeem's brother Sabbir Alam lodged a case with Khulshi Police Station in the morning in this connection.
In response to the incident, Deputy Commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police Md Amirul Islam said the police operation was initiated based on information regarding suspected smuggling activity. However, he acknowledged that initial findings suggest procedural lapses during the operation.
Authorities have stated that the matter is under serious investigation, with a zero-tolerance stance on any misconduct. They have assured that appropriate legal action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry.
