Probe finds cop at fault in Naeem harassment

An investigation committee formed over the alleged harassment of national cricketer Naeem Hassan has found police members at fault and recommended departmental action against several personnel involved in the incident.

The committee submitted its report to Chattogram Metropolitan Police Commissioner Hassan Md Shawkat Ali on Sunday, June 28.

CMP Commissioner Hassan Md Shawkat Ali said the investigation had identified the police members involved in the incident. He said departmental proceedings had been recommended against several additional police personnel, apart from those who had already faced initial action. The committee also made several recommendations to prevent similar incidents in the future, he added.

On the night of June 12, police detained national cricketer Naeem Hassan from an auto-rickshaw at Lalkhanbazar intersection in Chattogram and took him to Khulshi Police Station, where he was allegedly beaten.

Earlier that day, Naeem had played a Dhaka Premier Division Cricket League match and flown to Chattogram. He was travelling home to Chandgaon from the airport by auto-rickshaw when the incident took place.

He was later released from the police station following phone calls from Bangladesh Cricket Board officials, intervention by family members and senior police officers.

The following day, the CMP commissioner visited Naeem’s residence in Faridarpara, Bohaddarhat, and personally expressed regret over the incident.

Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and Constable Md Rassel Chowdhury of Khulshi Police Station, who were part of the operation, were temporarily suspended. Khulshi Police Station Officer-in-Charge Arif Hossain was also withdrawn.

An investigation committee was later formed, led by Deputy Police Commissioner (West) Alamgir Hossain. Although the report was initially due on June 18, the CMP commissioner extended the deadline by four working days.

The report was submitted on Sunday after the extended deadline expired.
Meanwhile, Naeem Hassan’s brother, Kamrul Alam, has filed a case naming two police members and a police informant, Sohel, as accused.