Police in Bangladesh are hunting for an international cricketer and his wife in connection with the alleged abuse of their 11-year-old domestic helper.
Earlier this month, the unnamed girl reported that Shahadat Hossain, a bowler with the Bangladeshi national team, and his wife physically tortured her and left her on a street in the capital, Dhaka, Muntashirul Islam, Deputy Commissioner of Dhaka Metropolitan Police told CNN Tuesday.
According to police, the girl had substantial injuries — several parts of her body were dislocated, she had swollen eyes, and was bruised extensively. She is now being treated in hospital.
Police said Shahadat and his wife, Nittyo Shahadat, have fled their home in Dhaka, and that resources have been deployed to find and arrest them.
Police raids
Nazrul Islam, Inspector general with the Bangladesh police, told CNN Wednesday that police have also conducted raids on Shahadat’s ancestral village on the outskirts of Dhaka, and at his father-in-law’s home in the city.
Islam added that the girl’s parents have yet to be found.
Rabeed Imam, media manager with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, told CNN: “The Bangladesh Cricket Board is informed about the allegations against national cricketer Shahadat Hossain and his wife of assaulting their 11-year-old maid.
“The police are looking into the matter and it is too early to jump to any final conclusion. In any situation the incident is (the) cricketer’s personal issue and the board has nothing to do with it but yes, we condemn the happening.”
Hossain, 29, made his debut for the national team in 2005, and has gone on to play in 36 Test matches and 51 One Day Internationals for his country.
He has taken more than 100 wickets across both versions of the game.
