One accused arrested over cricketer Nayeem's harassment: CMP Commissioner

Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md Shoukat Ali has expressed regret over the incident in which national cricketer Nayeem Hasan was harassed by police personnel. He said one of the accused has been arrested.

The police commissioner visited Nayeem Hasan's residence in Chattogram city around 12:00 pm on Saturday, June 13, to meet the cricketer and his family and express regret over the police behaviour.

"Based on the preliminary investigation, we have found the incident to be true. We want to work professionally. The police personnel involved have acted in a highly unprofessional manner. Such behaviour towards a national cricketer is unacceptable in any way," the CMP commissioner told journalists at Nayeem's residence.

The three accused police personnel have already been closed (withdrawn from duty) and attached to Dampara Police Lines. Among them, one has been arrested. A departmental investigation has been initiated, and proceedings for a departmental case are ongoing.

According to local sources, the national team off-spinner was returning home from the airport in a car on Friday night, June 12. Detectives from the CMP stopped his vehicle, suspecting him of being involved in gold smuggling. They forced him out of the car and subjected him to humiliating behaviour.

Even when Nayeem identified himself, the police personnel allegedly did not listen. They forcibly took him to the police station, where he was also harassed for an extended period.

Following the incident, the cricketer's wife, Sumaiya Shimu, alleged that after snatching Nayeem's phone, the policemen demanded money for his release . The couple has a six-month-old daughter .

The news of such mistreatment of a national cricketer by police spread quickly, causing widespread anger in Chattogram's sporting circles and on social media.

The CMP has said a thorough investigation will be conducted, and final punitive action will be taken against the guilty police personnel.

Family members of the cricketer said they are reassured by the commissioner's personal visit and swift action, but they want exemplary punishment for those responsible after a proper investigation.