NN Online:
The High Court has upheld the death sentences of two former police officials and life imprisonment for six others in the high-profile murder case of retired army major Sinha Md Rashed Khan, who was shot dead at a police checkpoint in Cox’s Bazar in 2020.
The verdict was delivered on Monday by the bench of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain.
Hearings on the death references and appeals began on April 23, following a directive from Chief Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed to prioritize the case. Attorney General AM Amin Uddin and Deputy Attorney General Jashim Uddin Sarker represented the state, while lawyers SM Shahjahan and Sarwar Ahmed appeared for the defence.
During proceedings, the prosecution urged the court to uphold the trial court’s judgment, while the defence sought to overturn the convictions.
Major Sinha was fatally shot on July 31, 2020, at a checkpoint along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive in Shamlapur. He had retired early from the Army and was in the area working on a travel documentary with a team.
His death triggered widespread outrage and revealed serious allegations of abuse of power by local law enforcement.
In 2022, a Cox’s Bazar court sentenced Pradip Kumar Das, the former chief of Teknaf Police Station, and Liaqat Ali, head of Baharchhara police outpost, to death for their roles in the murder. Six others—three police officers and three police informants—received life sentences for assisting in the killing and attempting to cover it up.
Four other police officers and three Armed Police Battalion (APBn) members were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
An investigation by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) uncovered that Pradip had been orchestrating staged shootouts and extorting civilians under the guise of anti-drug operations. Sinha and his team had reportedly discovered these abuses, making him a target.
According to the case, Pradip feared Sinha would expose his crimes and ordered Liaqat to shoot him. Others present allegedly helped stage the scene to look like a shootout.
Following the incident, Sinha’s sister filed a case that ultimately led to charges against 15 individuals, including 12 police personnel.
The trial began on June 27, 2021, under Judge Mohammad Ismail at the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Court, with the verdict delivered on January 31, 2022.
After mandatory review, the High Court finalized its ruling on Monday, following the conclusion of hearings on May 30.
