A traffic police sergeant allegedly threatened to gouge out the eyes of a coconut seller after he protested over a low price in Madaripur. Following the incident going viral on social media, the seller was called to the office of the Superintendent of Police (SP), where he claims he was held for six hours under the pretext of questioning.
On Saturday (March 28) at around 10 am, green coconut seller Abdul Karim Bepari was summoned from his rented house by Traffic Inspector Redwan Ahmed to the office of the Madaripur SP. Abdul Karim, who resides in Sardar Colony, Madaripur town, is the son of Rashid Bepari of Gachbaria, Sadar Upazila.
According to multiple sources, Abdul Karim was selling coconuts near Shokuni Lake, in front of the Madaripur Deputy Commissioner’s residence, as he does daily. Around 8:00 pm on Friday (March 27), Madaripur District Traffic Police Sergeant Md Rafique reportedly bought eight green coconuts from him and drank the coconut water on the spot with friends.
The seller stated that the price of the coconuts was Tk 1,200, but the sergeant paid only Tk 500. When Abdul Karim raised an objection, the sergeant allegedly tried to coerce him for the remaining Tk 700 and threatened to gouge out the seller’s eyes. Later, a video statement by Abdul Karim went viral on social media, drawing the attention of senior officials of Madaripur Police.
On Saturday morning at 10:00 am, Traffic Inspector Redwan Ahmed reportedly summoned Abdul Karim from his rented house to the SP’s office. He was allegedly questioned for about six hours before being released after signing a document prepared on a computer.
Abdul Karim told Jago News, “Even though I lowered the price, the sergeant threatened me. The next day, I was kept at the SP’s office for six hours under questioning and was made to sign a document before being allowed to leave. I want justice for this injustice.”
In response, Sergeant Md Rafique denied the allegations, saying, “Nothing like this happened. I did not eat any coconuts nor threaten anyone. False allegations have been made against me.”
Madaripur Superintendent of Police Md Habibur Rahman said, “The coconut seller was called to the office only to understand what happened. Nothing else. If the traffic sergeant is found guilty, departmental action will be taken. The police are thoroughly examining the entire matter.”