A sub-inspector in Ajmiriganj, Habiganj, has been accused of taking a mobile phone from a fruit seller’s shop after buying fruit. The incident occurred on Saturday evening, August 8, at Rajib Mia’s fruit shop in Middle Bazar, beside Ajmiriganj police station. CCTV footage from the shop circulated the following day, prompting discussion and criticism among local traders and residents.

The locally obtained footage, about one minute and nine seconds long, reportedly shows SI Russell paying shopkeeper Rajib Mia for fruit. It then shows him taking his own phone in his left hand while picking up another phone from the table with his right hand and putting it in his pocket before leaving. Rajib Mia reviewed the footage after failing to find his phone, but declined to speak directly to the media.

An unidentified trader said the matter was resolved that night in the presence of both sides, considering the police department’s image. Investigation Officer-in-Charge Bishwajit Pal confirmed an amicable settlement. OC Mohammad Akbar Hossain said the phones had been placed together and the device was taken mistakenly; he said Tk15,000 was paid because the phone was lost and necessary action would be taken against the officer.