Md. Sarfuzzaman Khan :
The Supreme Court of Bangladesh has upheld the verdict delivered by the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court in the much-debated Major (Retd.) Sinha Md. Rashed Khan murder case, confirming the death sentences of former police officials OC Pradeep Kumar Das and Inspector Liaqat Ali, and life imprisonment for six other convicts along with a fine of Tk 50,000 each.
This ruling is being seen not merely as a judicial milestone but as a stark reminder of the brutal legacy of “crossfire” executions allegedly conducted under the guise of law enforcement during the previous government.
Legal experts, rights activists, and former military personnel have denounced these extrajudicial actions as targeted killings, with Major Sinha’s murder being a prominent and tragic example.
At a press briefing following the verdict, Major Sinha’s sister, SharminShahriarFerdous, welcomed the court’s decision but expressed the family’s continued demand for full justice, stating:
“We are still waiting for comprehensive justice. This verdict is a step forward, but accountability must be extended to all responsible parties, including those deliberately omitted from prosecution.”
The president of RAOWA (Retired Armed Forces Welfare Association) echoed this sentiment, specifically naming former Cox’s Bazar SP Masud Hossain, whose exclusion from the list of accused has raised serious concerns.
“The omission appears intentional and reeks of backdoor negotiations. Justice demands his immediate inclusion and trial.”
The Major Sinha murder case has become emblematic of a culture of impunity that thrived under the previous government. Rights observers describe how state machinery, under the pretext of national security, enabled rogue elements in law enforcement to act as judge, jury, and executioner. The crossfire narrative, often touted to justify such killings, is now increasingly being exposed as a cover for political vendettas, corruption, and state-backed violence.
OC Pradeep, in particular, is portrayed as a figure who epitomized the abuse of power. Once feared and unchecked, he now stands condemned for his crimes. Analysts argue that his reign, marked by extrajudicial killings and systemic corruption, was tolerated and even rewarded by a regime obsessed with absolute control, often at the cost of innocent lives.
“This was not just a single act of brutality,” said a legal analyst. “It exposed a deep-rooted rot in the system-an era where justice was optional and power equated to immunity.”
The High Court bench of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Saghir Hossain delivered the ruling at 10:55 AM on Monday, rejecting the convicts’ appeals and affirming the death reference. The verdict maintains:
Death Penalty for: OC Pradeep Kumar Das, Inspector Liaqat Ali, Life Imprisonment for:SI NandadulalRakshit
Constables Rubel Sharma and Sagar Dev, Marishbunia residents Nurul Amin, Mohammad Ayaz, and Md Nizam Uddin.
