Cricketer Naeem in legal row over detention

A case has been filed by the family of Bangladesh national cricket team spinner Naeem Hasan against three individuals, including a police sub-inspector, following his detention, alleged assault and harassment by persons identifying themselves as police in Chattogram.

Following the filing of the case, Khulshi Police Station arrested one of the accused. Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali has expressed regret over the incident.

It is alleged that Khulshi Police Station Sub-Inspector (SI) Shafiqul Islam detained cricketer Naeem Hasan on suspicion of gold smuggling based on information provided by the Directorate General of Forces Intelligence (DGFI).

A senior police officer of superintendent rank, serving at Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) and wishing to remain unnamed, reportedly questioned SI Shafiqul over the detention.

In response, SI Shafiqul said DGFI officer Kamruzzaman had provided intelligence that gold would be smuggled from Chattogram Airport via a CNG-run auto-rickshaw bearing the registration Chatt Metro-Tha-13-5627, and that Naeem was detained on the basis of that tip.

A screenshot of the DGFI message allegedly sent to SI Shafiqul has been obtained by The New Nation.

According to the account, the DGFI message was first received by SI Monir, the second officer of Khulshi Police Station, who then passed it on to SI Shafiqul Islam, who was on mobile duty. It is alleged that the second officer failed to inform senior officers, as required.

Police subsequently took position at Lalkhan Bazar intersection in the city. When a CNG-run auto-rickshaw bearing the specified registration number arrived, officers reportedly made no further preliminary verification.

The identities of the passengers were not confirmed, nor was any search conducted for prohibited or suspicious items. Instead, Naeem Hasan and others travelling with him were detained as suspects and taken to the police station. No evidence of gold smuggling was found.

A CMP press release issued on Saturday afternoon confirmed that SI Md. Shafiqul Islam Bhuiyan and Constable Md. Rasel Chowdhury, both involved in the incident, have been withdrawn from duty.

That same night, Naeem Hasan’s brother, Sabbir Hasan, filed a case at Khulshi Police Station naming SI Shafiqul, Constable Rasel and an informant identified as Sohel as defendants. Following the complaint, Khulshi Police arrested one of the accused.

Meanwhile, CMP Commissioner Hasan Md. Shawkat Ali visited Naeem Hasan’s residence in Chattogram city, spoke with the cricketer and his family, and expressed regret over the conduct of the officers involved.

Speaking to journalists at Naeem’s home, the Commissioner said: “Our preliminary investigation has confirmed the truth of the incident. We want to work professionally.

The police personnel behaved in an extremely unprofessional manner. Such treatment of a Bangladesh national cricket team player is unacceptable under any circumstances.”

He further stated that the three accused police personnel had been withdrawn from duty, a departmental investigation had been initiated, and one individual connected to the incident had already been detained. He added that disciplinary proceedings were underway.

According to local sources, on Friday night the national off-spinner was returning home from the airport by car when individuals identifying themselves as members of the CMP Detective Branch (DB) stopped the vehicle. Naeem Hasan was reportedly forced out of the car on suspicion of gold smuggling and subjected to inappropriate behaviour.

Although he identified himself as a national cricketer, officers allegedly did not accept his explanation and instead took him to the police station, where he was reportedly harassed for an extended period.

The incident triggered strong outrage within Chattogram’s sporting community and on social media after news emerged that a national cricketer had been detained in this manner.

A CMP source said the matter would be thoroughly investigated and that appropriate disciplinary action would be taken against those found responsible.

Naeem Hasan has alleged that he was struck with a baton at the police station and physically assaulted without justification. He also said he remains deeply traumatised by the incident. The allegations have drawn widespread criticism across sporting circles.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Khulshi Police Station, Arifur Rahman, did not respond to repeated phone calls the previous night.

However, the following morning he said SI Shafiqul Islam had not informed him of the operation in advance, and that he only learned of Naeem’s identity after he was brought to the station.

He added that, upon learning this, regret was expressed and the cricketer was respectfully allowed to leave.

He further said Naeem’s family had indicated they would not leave the station until those responsible were punished. Subsequently, Naeem’s brother filed the case, after which informant Sohel was arrested.

Family members of Naeem Hasan said they were cautiously reassured by the CMP Commissioner’s visit and the swift administrative action, but insisted that those responsible must face exemplary punishment following a proper investigation.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh cricketer Mushfiqur Rahim, widely known as “Mr Dependable”, wrote on his Facebook page: “What happened to Naeem is completely unacceptable.

I want proper justice for this incident. What has happened has pained and shamed me. As a citizen, as a Bangladeshi, I strongly protest this.”