Cricketer Nayeem harassment: CMP probe panel seeks disciplinary action against 3 cops

A Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) investigation committee has found evidence of misconduct by three police personnel in connection with the alleged harassment of national cricketer Nayeem Hasan and recommended departmental cases and disciplinary action against them.

The investigation report was submitted to CMP Commissioner Hasan Md Shawkat Ali yesterday evening (28 June).

Two of the personnel identified in the report are suspended officials sub-inspector Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and constable Md Rasel Chowdhury of Khulshi Police Station. The identity of the third officer has not yet been disclosed.

Although the head of the investigation committee and CMP Deputy Commissioner (West) Md Alamgir Hossain confirmed the submission of the report, he declined to comment on its contents.

Later, CMP Commissioner Shawkat said the investigation had found evidence supporting the allegations against the three police personnel.

"The investigation committee has recommended taking necessary disciplinary measures against them, including departmental cases," he said.

According to the commissioner, the personnel displayed unprofessional and undisciplined behaviour. Two of them had already been temporarily suspended following the incident.

He said the report also included seven recommendations aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.

These include special training on professional conduct and humanitarian issues, regular briefings, measures to improve professionalism in duty performance, and prompt action against breaches of discipline.

The incident took place on the night of 12 June when Nayeem Hasan arrived in Chattogram from Dhaka and was travelling home in a CNG-run autorickshaw.

According to the allegations, police stopped the autorickshaw in the Lalkhan Bazar area after it exited the expressway and took documents from the driver.

Nayeem alleged that a sub-inspector of Khulshi Police Station and a police source then pulled him from the vehicle, assaulted him and later took him to Khulshi Police Station, where he faced further harassment.

Nayeem was later released following the intervention of officials of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).

The following day, CMP Commissioner Shawkat visited Nayeem's residence in the city's Faridapara area and expressed regret over the incident. A three-member committee was subsequently formed to investigate the allegations.

Although the committee had been instructed to submit its findings within five working days, it took additional time to complete the investigation.

Nayeem alleged that he was treated as a smuggling suspect after being intercepted while returning home from the airport. According to him and his family, police physically assaulted and harassed him despite his repeated attempts to identify himself as a national cricketer.

His family also alleged that his father was harassed when he went to the police station to secure his son's release.

Following the incident, Nayeem's elder brother, Kamrul Alam Sabbir, filed a case.

CMP initially suspended SI Shafiqul and constable Rasel. The following day, Khulshi Police Station officer-in-charge Mohammad Arif was withdrawn and attached to the CMP police lines.