Published: June 13, 2026
Photo: Collected
CHATTOGRAM — Bangladesh national cricket team spinner Nayeem Hasan was allegedly assaulted and harassed by police personnel in the city’s Lalkhan Bazar area on Friday night. Following the incident, three police personnel, including a sub-inspector (SI), have been withdrawn from the Khulshi police station and attached to the police lines.
A formal case alleging assault and attempted abduction has been filed by the cricketer’s family.
Forced Out of Auto-Rickshaw and Beaten
The incident occurred late Friday night when Nayeem was returning home after completing his Premier League commitments in Dhaka. Due to a flight delay, he landed at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport around 10:20 PM and hired a CNG-run auto-rickshaw.
As the vehicle exited the expressway at Lalkhan Bazar, it was signaled to stop by individuals identifying themselves as Detective Branch (DB) officers.
”As soon as the vehicle stopped, they took the documents from the driver. They forced me out of the auto-rickshaw and attempted to push me into a police vehicle by grabbing me by the neck,” Nayeem told journalists.
Despite identifying himself as a national cricketer and showing his official ID card, the assault continued. Nayeem alleged that Khulshi Police Station SI Shafiqul Islam repeatedly struck him on the waist with a baton, while a plainclothes police informant, identified as Sohel, beat him with a pipe.
”Around 100 to 200 people gathered. Despite telling them I was a cricketer, they did not stop beating me. They kept saying, ‘You are an accused person. Stay quiet. Don’t say a word’,” Nayeem added. He further claimed that the police attempted to take him to an undisclosed location in a separate auto-rickshaw rather than using the official police vehicle present at the scene.
Harassment at the Police Station
Nayeem was subsequently taken to the Khulshi police station. He alleged that his phone was confiscated during the ordeal and that the Officer-in-Charge (OC) behaved aggressively, repeatedly ordering him to “keep his eyes down” while explaining the situation.
The situation shifted only after Nayeem recovered his phone and contacted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal. The BCB President immediately informed BCB Director Israfil Khasru, who intervened by contacting senior police officials.
”I want a proper investigation and justice,” Nayeem said. “It happened to me today, and many people came to the police station on my behalf. But no one will come for the general public. I do not want anyone else to be subjected to this kind of harassment.”
Misinformed ‘Gold Smuggling’ Raid
According to police sources, the brutal encounter stemmed from a botched intelligence tip. Khulshi Police Station SI Monirul Islam, who is currently on leave in Dhaka, had tipped off SI Shafiqul Islam that a CNG auto-rickshaw carrying smuggled gold would be passing through the area. Monirul claimed he received the tip from another law enforcement agency.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Deputy Commissioner (North) Amirul Islam confirmed that they are investigating the validity of the smuggling tip and whether standard operational procedures were ignored.
”There are established rules governing police operations and searches,” DC Amirul Islam said. “Based on our discussions with those involved, it appears for now that there may have been lapses. Those responsible will face departmental action.”
Family Demands Justice; Case Filed
Upon hearing the news, Nayeem’s father, Mahbubul Alam, rushed to the station, where he claimed the duty officer treated him rudely. As news of the assault spread, relatives and local cricket fans gathered outside the station around midnight, demanding the immediate arrest of the culprits.
On Saturday morning, Nayeem’s brother, Sabbir Alam, filed a formal case with the Khulshi police station. The case names SI Shafiqul Islam, Constable Russell, and police informant Sohel as the primary accused.
Khulshi Police Station OC Arifur Rahman claimed he was kept in the dark about the unauthorized raid. “SI Shafiqul Islam did not inform me about the operation. I only became aware of Nayeem’s identity as a national cricketer after he was brought to the station,” the OC said.
The OC added that the station expressed its regrets to the cricketer, confirming that SI Shafiqul, Constable Russell, and another participating constable have been immediately withdrawn and closed to the police lines as the legal process moves forward.
