After returning to Chattogram from Dhaka following a Premier League match, Bangladesh national cricket team spinner Nayeem Hasan was allegedly subjected to a brutal assault and severe harassment by individuals identifying themselves as Detective Branch (DB) police officers.
The incident took place at around 11:30 p.m. on Friday (June 12) near the entrance of the Lalkhan Bazar Flyover in Chattogram city.
The injured cricketer received treatment at a hospital in Chattogram and is currently recovering at his residence. The 26-year-old spinner alleges that he was not spared even after identifying himself as a national team player.
Describing the incident in a tearful voice, Nayeem said: “Due to my flight delay, I was returning home from the airport in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw. Under the Lalkhan Bazar Flyover, police stopped my vehicle and took the driver's documents. I voluntarily told them to check my bag. But suddenly one person grabbed me by the throat and ordered me to get into a vehicle. When I protested and pushed my way out, they began beating me indiscriminately with pipes and batons.”
Nayeem further stated that among the attackers were two police officers and a man wearing a panjabi (traditional tunic), who identified himself as either a DB source or officer.
“Around 100 to 200 people gathered and told the officers that I was a cricketer, but they did not stop beating me. They kept saying, ‘You are a criminal. Stay quiet. Don't say a word’, Nayeem said.
He was later taken to Khulshi Police Station. After getting access to his mobile phone there, Nayeem quickly contacted Tamim Iqbal, President of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
Nayeem said he was also mistreated at the police station. He said that while he was explaining the incident to the officer in-charger (OC), the OC repeatedly instructed him to keep his eyes down while speaking.
Tamim immediately spoke with the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khulshi Police Station and Nayeem's father, assuring them that the matter would be properly investigated.
Meanwhile, once news of the incident became public, it reportedly caused significant concern within the police administration. Chattogram Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Md. Amirul Islam said:
“Nayeem Hasan will certainly receive justice. Regardless of who the police officer is, we will maintain a zero-tolerance policy in this matter. The reputation of the police force is involved. We are working toward building a new Bangladesh, and under the current circumstances, no wrongdoing will be tolerated.”
The police official also stated that officers had been conducting an operation based on intelligence related to a smuggling case.
However, authorities are now investigating whether the entire operation was carried out according to proper legal procedures and will take strict action if wrongdoing is confirmed.