Hatirjheel OC apologises over Nobin Fashion chaos

The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Hatirjheel Police Station Golam Mortuza has offered an unconditional apology to a Dhaka court over the chaos at “Nobin Fashion” store in the Mogbazar area of the capital, leading to its closure.

On Sunday, he appeared before Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman’s court to offer the apology and provide his explanation.

He told the court that the situation escalated due to sudden excessive crowding and pressure from bikers and other buyers attracted by a promotional offer.

“If the court finds any mistake on the part of the police, I offer an unconditional apology. I will perform my duties more carefully in the future,” he said.

State Prosecutor Jamal Uddin Marjin said in court, “The court has heard the OC’s statement. The OC has apologised, and the court’s order on this matter is pending.”

“The court has also asked for the state’s opinion regarding individuals who claimed to be friends or relatives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the day Nobin Fashion was closed,” Jamal added.

He also informed the court that the OC of the Hatirjheel Police Station has been withdrawn.

Earlier on 25 March, the court had suo motu summoned the OC and ordered him to provide an explanation within three days. He was also directed to be present at the scene within 24 hours and reopen Nobin Fashion’s store.

According to the order, a report published in the online edition of a national daily stated that a group of people, accompanied by police, went to “Nobin Fashion” at Bishal Centre Market in Moghbazar and ordered it to shut down.

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Although some individuals were seen behaving disorderly at the scene, the police personnel present remained passive. The court observed that such inaction by the police could create fear among the public and asked why such conduct should not be declared unlawful and contrary to professional standards.

The court also directed the OC of Hatirjheel Police Station to appear before it within three days with a written explanation. It further instructed the OC to reopen the shop within 24 hours in his presence and to submit detailed information about those involved in the incident.

Notably, a video went viral on social media on 20 March, ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr, showing that some nearby shopkeepers had shut down the “Nobin Fashion” store in Moghbazar for selling panjabis at lower prices.