Hatirjheel OC among two closed over Nobin Fashion showroom shutdown

Two police officers of Hatirjheel Police Station, including its officer-in-charge (OC), have been closed over the shutdown of a showroom of Nobin Fashion in Dhaka’s Moghbazar, centring a sale on panjabi ahead of Eid-ul-fitr.

OC Golam Mortuza has been attached to the Dhaka Metropolitan Police headquarters, while an assistant sub-inspector has been sent to Rajarbagh Police Lines, according to a press release signed by Muhammad Talebur Rahman, deputy commissioner of the DMP’s media wing.

The Dhaka Metropolitan Police has also formed an investigation committee to look into the incident.

“On March 20, an unexpected situation arose between the market committee and a showroom over a Panjabi sales offer at one of the shops in the market named Bishal Centre. A committee has been formed to look into whether any police personnel were involved in the incident,” the release said.

A video that circulated on social media on Friday, the day before Eid-ul-Fitr, showed several traders forcing Nobin Fashion to shut its branch in Moghbazar, claiming the low-priced Panjabi sale was hurting their business and likening it to “relief distribution”.

Police present at the scene did not intervene and instead appeared to support the traders, Nobin authorities alleged.

The incident sparked criticism on social media, with many netizens siding with the clothing brand for offering low-priced Panjabis. They demanded action against the traders as well as the police personnel involved.

Yesterday, a Dhaka court expressed dissatisfaction over the role of police in the closure of the shop and summoned the Hatirjheel OC. The court also ordered that the shop be reopened within 24 hours.