Bangladesh cricketer Naeem Hasan assaulted by policemen in Chattogram

Three police officers, including a sub-inspector, have been withdrawn from Khulshi Police Station and attached to police lines after allegations of assault and harassment against Bangladesh national cricket team spinner Naeem Hasan during an incident in the city’s Lalkhan Bazar area.

A case has been registered, and an official investigation has been launched into the incident, which took place on Friday night.

According to police sources, Sub-Inspector Monirul Islam, who was on leave in Dhaka, reportedly shared information with Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam about suspected gold smuggling in a CNG-run autorickshaw, claiming it came from an intelligence source.

Acting on the tip-off, SI Shafiqul conducted a raid in the Lalkhan Bazar area.

Naeem Hasan, who was returning home after playing a Premier League match in Dhaka and had arrived in Chattogram via Shah Amanat International Airport, was travelling in an autorickshaw when the incident occurred.

He alleged that shortly after the vehicle left the expressway, it was intercepted by individuals who introduced themselves as Detective Branch (DB) police officers.

“As soon as the autorickshaw stopped, they took the driver’s documents and tried to drag me out.

They shoved me by the neck and attempted to force me into a police vehicle,” Naeem said.

He further claimed that even after identifying himself as a national cricketer and showing his ID card, SI Shafiqul Islam continued to assault him with a baton.

A plainclothes police informant, identified as Sohel, also allegedly struck him with a pipe.

Naeem said a large crowd gathered at the scene and confirmed his identity, but the officers did not stop the alleged harassment.

 He was later taken to Khulshi Police Station, where he claimed further mistreatment, including disrespectful behaviour from the Officer-in-Charge (OC).

The situation escalated after Naeem contacted Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) President Tamim Iqbal, who, along with BCB official Israfil Khasru, intervened by reaching out to senior police authorities.

“I want a fair investigation and justice,” Naeem said, adding that ordinary citizens would not have the same support in such situations and that such incidents must be prevented.

Khulshi Police Station OC Ariful Islam stated that SI Shafiqul conducted the raid without prior approval.

He said the police only learned about Naeem’s identity after he was brought to the station and later expressed regret over the incident.

He confirmed that SI Shafiqul and two constables were immediately withdrawn from duty.

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (North Division) Deputy Commissioner Amirul Islam said authorities were verifying the smuggling information and examining whether proper procedures were followed during the raid.

He added that preliminary findings suggest procedural violations and that departmental action would follow.