Two police officers from Mohammadpur Police Station have been closed to line over allegations of negligence and inappropriate behavior after a journalist was violently mugged in the capital.
The incident took place around 11 PM on Thursday (July 24) at the intersection of Beribadh-Tin Rastar Mor in Mohammadpur, where journalist Ahmad Wadud was attacked with a machete by a group of muggers. The assailants snatched his mobile phone, wallet, and cash. Fortunately, his wife, who was with him during the incident, remained unharmed.
Following the attack, the victim immediately rushed to Mohammadpur Police Station to report the crime. However, according to his account, instead of receiving assistance, he was met with dismissiveness and apathy from the on-duty officers.
In a Facebook post that has since gone viral, the journalist described his ordeal at the station. Sub-Inspector (SI) Jasim reportedly questioned the reporter’s “common sense” for expecting the muggers to remain at the scene. Officer-in-Charge (OC) Ali Iftekhar Hasan allegedly remarked, “I am an OC and I use a cheap phone. If you walk around with expensive phones, of course you’ll get mugged.”
The post sparked widespread outrage on social media, with netizens condemning the behavior of the police officers and calling for accountability. In response, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) authorities confirmed that two officers from Mohammadpur Police Station have been closed pending investigation.
Speaking to the media, the journalist said SI Jasim initially refused to take the complaint, citing a lack of personnel to record it. The victim ended up writing the complaint himself, but was not given a copy. He was instead asked to speak with ASI Anarul over the phone.
Despite repeated pleas for urgent action, police officers reportedly delayed their response. Approximately 40 minutes later, ASI Anarul and his team reached the scene. The journalist claimed he spotted the muggers nearby and pointed them out, but the officers did not intervene. The suspects slowly walked away in the officers’ presence.
Later, police informed him that a night-time operation would be conducted, and advised him to return home.
DMP Additional Police Commissioner (Crime & Operations) SN Nazrul Islam said, “We are taking this matter seriously. Disciplinary actions have already begun against those who mishandled the situation. Two officers have been closed, and more actions will follow as needed.”
Tejgaon Division Deputy Commissioner Ibn Mizan added, “An investigation is underway, and senior officials are closely monitoring the developments. Efforts to recover the stolen phone were initiated immediately.”
Following public backlash and pressure, Mohammadpur police later arrested three suspects involved in the mugging—Yusuf (26), Siam (23), and Zahurul (22). The stolen phone has also been recovered, police confirmed.
The incident has once again raised questions about police responsiveness and accountability in the face of rising street crimes in Dhaka.
