Cricketer Nayeem Hasan assaulted, harassed by men claiming to be DB police

Bangladesh national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan has alleged that he was assaulted, harassed and forcibly taken to a police station by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB) while returning home from Chattogram Airport on Friday night (June 12).

The incident reportedly took place shortly after the off-spinner arrived in Chattogram Airport following his participation in the Dhaka Premier League.

According to Nayeem, he landed at Chattogram Airport around 10:20pm and was travelling home in a CNG-run auto-rickshaw after failing to secure a private vehicle. Near a toll plaza, a traffic police officer stopped the vehicle and accompanied it for a short distance.

Nayeem said that shortly afterwards, a police officer and a man in civilian clothing approached the vehicle and informed him that it would be searched. What initially appeared to be a routine check, he claimed, quickly escalated.

The cricketer alleged that a police officer identified as Sub-Inspector (SI) Shafique forcibly placed him in a vehicle and repeatedly referred to him as an accused person without providing any explanation. When he protested, he said, he was physically assaulted.

“I asked what the issue was, but I was told, ‘You are an accused, stay quiet.’ My collar was grabbed and I was struck with a baton,” Nayeem alleged, adding that he was also subjected to physical abuse.

He further claimed that several people at the scene recognised him and informed the officers of his identity, but their statements were ignored. Nayeem also alleged that his mobile phone was taken away during the incident.

According to the cricketer, he was later taken to a police station, where he identified himself to the duty officer. While he initially faced what he described as harsh treatment, the situation changed after calls from various quarters began reaching the station.

Directly accusing SI Shafique of assault, Nayeem said he had objected to being physically handled, but was nonetheless beaten with a baton.

The incident has, however, triggered strong reactions within the sporting fraternity, with growing calls for an impartial investigation into the matter.

Police have yet to issue an official statement regarding the allegations.