A traffic sergeant of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) verbally and physically assaulted a photo journalist of the Daily Manab Zamin in Ramna, Dhaka on Wednesday afternoon.
The accused sergeant, Md Mustain, was closed from duty, and the DMP Traffic Division served him with a show-cause notice on the same day after the allegations against him were found to be accurate during initial investigation, said DMP Deputy Commissioner (Traffic-South) Rifat Rahman Shamim.
Narrating his ordeal, the victim, Nasir Uddin, said he was going to his office at Karwan Bazar on his motorcycle after an assignment at National Press Club, when traffic sergeant Mustain flagged him down in front of Matsya Bhaban – Department of Fisheries headquarters – in Ramna.
“He asked to see all my documents and driving licence. Even though the documents were all in order, he started to write me up for violation of traffic regulations.
“When I asked why he was writing a case against me, he said it was because I did not have my helmet on. I apologised and begged him not to write me up, telling him that a relative of mine had borrowed my helmet. The sergeant became aggressive and started spouting abusive words at me.
“When I showed him my press ID card and tried to take my camera out of my bag, the sergeant became violent and grabbed my shirt collar. He dragged me to the police box nearby as he continued verbally abusing me.
“Inside the police box, he assaulted me, slapping me a couple of times. I managed to make calls to my colleagues and friends in the locality, who arrived and rescued me after one and a half hours,” Nasir said.
The DMP Traffic Division was notified of Mustain's conduct shortly afterwards.
Speaking to the Dhaka Tribune, Deputy Commissioner Rifat said: “We have already taken action against the accused sergeant. A departmental investigation will be conducted after he responds to our show-cause notice. He will be sentenced with appropriate punishment after the investigation is finished.
“What he did was entirely his personal fault. It is a grievous violation of the police code of conduct. The DMP does not condone such behaviour by any police official, nor will it be held responsible for such misconduct.”
Sergeant Mustain could not be reached on his mobile phone despite several attempts on Wednesday.
