Police have detained a man for allegedly assaulting another person on a footpath in the capital’s Dhanmondi area, while a police officer who reportedly stood by during the incident has been withdrawn from duty.
The detainee, identified as Khalid Hasan, 35, was taken into custody on Wednesday (14 October).
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon near Bangladesh Eye Hospital on Satmasjid Road in Dhanmondi, following allegations that Shahid Abdullah Al Masud, alias Masud Rana, 48, had sexually harassed a 23-year-old woman.
A video circulating on social media showed Khalid repeatedly slapping and kicking Masud and forcing him to perform sit-ups while holding his ears.
The footage sparked widespread criticism, particularly over the assault and the apparent inaction of police officers present at the scene.
Two police personnel were seen standing a short distance away as the assault took place, watching alongside bystanders without intervening.
Dhanmondi Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Muhammad Imdadul Islam Tayeb said Khalid had been detained in connection with the assault.
He said the detainee had been produced before the Special Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Ramna Zone.
The OC also confirmed that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Abdul Hai of Dhanmondi Police Station, who was present during the incident, had been withdrawn from his posting over allegations of negligence of duty.