The incident occurred in the Lalkhan Bazar area of the city. Nayeem alleged that he was beaten by police officers, taken to Khulshi Police Station and later harassed there.

Speaking to reporters, Nayeem said he had arrived in Chattogram on a delayed flight at around 10:20 pm after playing a Bangladesh Premier League match in Dhaka. While travelling home by autorickshaw from Shah Amanat International Airport, the vehicle was stopped by police shortly after leaving the expressway.

He alleged that officers, identifying themselves as members of the Detective Branch (DB), took the driver’s documents and attempted to forcibly remove him from the vehicle. Despite introducing himself as a national team cricketer and showing his identity card, he said SI Shafiqul Islam struck him repeatedly on the waist with a baton. Nayeem further alleged that a man in plain clothes, identified as a police source named Sohel, also assaulted him with a metal pipe.

According to Nayeem, between 100 and 200 people gathered at the scene during the incident. “Even after I identified myself as a cricketer, the assault continued. I was told to stay quiet and not say anything,” he said.

He also claimed that at one point he was placed in another autorickshaw and taken to an unknown location before eventually being taken to Khulshi Police Station. There, he said, he was taken to the officer-in-charge’s room and further harassed. Nayeem alleged that the OC repeatedly instructed him to lower his eyes while speaking, and only changed his tone after receiving a phone call.

Nayeem said his mobile phone was confiscated after he was pulled from the autorickshaw. After reaching the police station, he contacted Tamim Iqbal, president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), who then informed a senior BCB official. Following discussions with police, the matter escalated.

“I want a fair investigation and justice,” Nayeem said. “This happened to me today, and many people came to the police station because of who I am. But ordinary people may not get that support. No one else should be treated like this.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North) Amirul Islam told Prothom Alo that the autorickshaw had initially been stopped based on information about alleged gold smuggling. “The accuracy of that information is being verified, as well as whether proper procedures were followed before conducting the operation,” he said, adding that there appeared to have been procedural lapses. “Those involved will face departmental action.”

Police sources said Khulshi Police Station SI Monirul Islam, currently on leave in Dhaka, had informed SI Shafiqul Islam about alleged gold smuggling involving a CNG-run autorickshaw. The information was reportedly obtained from an intelligence source.

Nayeem’s father, Mahbubul Alam, went to the police station after learning of the incident and alleged that he too was treated disrespectfully by officers on duty. “I want a fair investigation and proper punishment for those responsible,” he said.

Following the incident, relatives and cricket fans gathered at the police station, demanding accountability. On Saturday morning, Nayeem’s brother Sabbir Alam filed a case naming SI Shafiqul Islam, Constable Russell and police source Sohel as accused. The case includes charges of assault and attempted kidnapping.

Khulshi Police Station OC Arifur Rahman said SI Shafiqul Islam had not informed him about the operation beforehand and that he only became aware of Nayeem’s identity after he was brought to the station. “He was asked to leave with respect after we expressed regret, but he said he would not leave until action was taken,” the OC said. He confirmed that SI Shafiqul Islam, Constable Russell and another officer involved in the operation had been withdrawn immediately.