A serving police constable in Sylhet has been placed under immediate suspension after being intercepted by members of the public while trying to abscond with a motorcycle under the guise of taking it for a test ride. The suspect was beaten by an incensed crowd before being surrendered to local law enforcement.
The incident occurred on Thursday afternoon in the Bhoitikor area of Golapganj Upazila. The officer involved was identified as Constable Morsalin, who is posted at Beanibazar Police Station in Sylhet district.
Police reports and eyewitness accounts confirm that the events began when Saidur Rahman, a resident of Hetimganj, posted an advertisement on Facebook to sell his used motorcycle. Having spotted the listing online, Constable Morsalin made contact and arranged a meeting in Hetimganj to view the machine. He arrived accompanied by an acquaintance named Oliul Islam.
After inspecting the vehicle, Morsalin requested permission to take it for a quick test run. However, once mounted, the constable accelerated away towards Golapganj town without returning. Alarmed by the abrupt departure, Saidur gave chase on another vehicle, shouting to raise the alarm as he pursued the officer.
Alerted by Saidur’s calls for assistance, residents in the nearby Bhoitikor area managed to block the road and intercept the fleeing constable. When questioned by the crowd, Oliul Islam disavowed any connection to Morsalin, claiming he was unaware of the officer’s plan. Police later assessed Oliul as appearing mentally unstable. Outraged by the breach of trust by a serving law enforcement officer, the crowd assaulted Morsalin before handing him over to responding officers from Golapganj Model Police Station.
Following the public apprehension, Sylhet District Superintendent of Police Dr Chowdhury Md Yaber Sadeq ordered Constable Morsalin’s immediate suspension from active service. On Friday afternoon, the suspended constable was released into the care of a relative pending formal proceedings.
Golapganj Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Chhabed Ali confirmed that although the vehicle owner opted not to lodge a formal written criminal complaint, departmental disciplinary action is moving forward. Official attendance records reveal that Morsalin was already absent without leave, having failed to report back to Beanibazar Police Station following the expiry of his approved leave period. Senior officers are investigating wider allegations surrounding his conduct, including reported links to online gambling networks and other unethical practices. Beanibazar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Zafar Md Mahfuzul Karim confirmed the detention, confirming that full departmental proceedings have commenced to address the officer’s misconduct.
