The investigation committee formed by the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) regarding the harassment of national team cricketer Nayeem Hasan is expected to submit its report within the next two days.
Alamgir Hossain, Deputy Commissioner and head of the committee, informed the Times of Bangladesh on Monday afternoon that the submission is likely to take place on Wednesday or Thursday.
Following an application submitted last Thursday, the committee was granted a four-working-day extension to complete its task. As Friday and Saturday were public holidays, the committee has until Wednesday to finalise the findings.
The Police Commissioner initially directed the committee to submit the report within five working days, a deadline that expired on Thursday, before granting the additional four-day period.
The investigation is reportedly in its final stages, with the committee having already recorded the testimonies of 29 individuals, including the victim and eyewitnesses. A key focus of the current probe is identifying the source or organisation behind the text message (SMS) that prompted the police to stop and search the cricketer.
The incident occurred on 12 June, after Nayeem Hasan arrived at Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport at 10:20pm from Dhaka following the conclusion of the Premier League. While travelling to his residence in Bahaddarhat via a CNG auto-rickshaw, the vehicle was intercepted in the Lalkhan Bazar area at approximately 11:00pm by individuals identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB).
According to allegations, Khulshi Police Station Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and a police source named Sohel reportedly seized the driver’s documents before pulling Nayeem out of the vehicle. The cricketer was subsequently assaulted with sticks and pipes and taken to the police station, where he faced further harassment.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and Constable Md Rasel Chowdhury were suspended, while the Officer-in-Charge of Khulshi Police Station Arifur Rahman was withdrawn.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Shafiqul Islam and Constable Md Rasel Chowdhury were suspended, while the Officer-in-Charge of Khulshi Police Station Arifur Rahman was withdrawn on 13 June.
Police source Sohel Hossain Sarkar was later arrested and shown in a separate case related to an attack on the Dampara Police Lines and the looting of arms and ammunition on 5 August 2024. He has since been sent to jail under a court order.
Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) Commissioner Hasan Mohammad Shawkot Ali has expressed regret over the incident.
