Two police officers removed from duty, source held over alleged assault on cricketer Nayeem Hasan

Bangladesh national cricketer Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was assaulted and harassed by police personnel in Chattogram, prompting authorities to withdraw two officers involved in the incident and detain a police source.

Confirming the development to Daily Sun around 11:45am on Saturday, Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Arifur Rahman said Sub-Inspector (SI) Shafiqul Islam and Constable Russell had been removed from duty at the station and attached to the police lines pending further action.

The OC said the operation had been conducted without his knowledge. “SI Shafiqul Islam did not inform me about the drive. I only learned that the person brought to the station was Nayeem Hasan after his arrival. We apologised to him and requested that he leave the station, but he and his family insisted on action against those responsible. A case was subsequently filed,” he said.

The incident occurred late Friday night after Nayeem returned to Chattogram from Dhaka by air. While travelling home to the Chandgaon area in a CNG-run autorickshaw from the airport, he was reportedly stopped near the Lalkhan Bazar flyover by several individuals.

According to Nayeem, the men ordered him out of the vehicle without identifying themselves and seized the driver’s documents. Despite introducing himself as a national cricketer, he claimed he was grabbed by the throat, pushed into another autorickshaw and physically assaulted.

“I asked why they were taking me away, but they gave no clear explanation. Instead, they assaulted me. Later, I learned that two of them were police officers. Another man in a white Punjabi, who appeared to be accompanying them, also attacked me,” Nayeem alleged.

He further claimed that police officers beat him with batons while the civilian source struck him with a plastic pipe.

Nayeem said he had arrived at Chattogram airport around 11:15pm after a delayed flight and was heading home when the incident unfolded. As he attempted to call his father, a crowd gathered after hearing his cries for help.

“About 100 to 150 people gathered at the scene. Many recognised me and protested. Even after I showed my identification card and introduced myself, they continued referring to me as an accused person and told me not to speak,” he said.

The off-spinner alleged that he was later taken to Khulshi Police Station, where officers instructed him to keep his eyes down while speaking. He claimed their attitude changed only after they received a phone call.

Expressing concern over the episode, Nayeem said it highlighted broader questions about public safety and law enforcement conduct.

“People recognised me, which may have saved me. Had an ordinary citizen been in my place, nobody would have known where he was taken. If people cannot feel safe even with law enforcement agencies, that is deeply worrying,” he said.

Nayeem’s father, Mahbubul Alam, a former councillor of Chattogram City Corporation and a BNP leader, said he rushed to the police station after hearing that his son had been taken there.

“Initially, I was not even allowed to enter the station and was told to wait outside. Only after local residents protested was I permitted to go inside,” he said.

He further alleged that police continued to treat his son harshly even after confirming his identity. According to him, the situation improved only after senior figures, including former Bangladesh captain Tamim Iqbal and Israfil Khasru, contacted the police from Dhaka.

Responding to the allegations, Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Md Amirul Islam said officers had acted on information related to suspected smuggling activities but acknowledged that procedures may not have been properly followed.

“Initial findings suggest there were procedural shortcomings during the operation. We are treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and are committed to ensuring justice for Nayeem Hasan. Anyone found responsible will face legal action under a zero-tolerance policy,” he said.