Dhaka, Jun 02 (V7N) — The High Court has upheld the death sentence of former police officers OC Pradeep Kumar Das and Inspector Liaqat Ali in the murder of retired Army Major Sinha Md. Rashed Khan. The court also maintained life imprisonment sentences for six other convicts and upheld the Tk 50,000 fine imposed on each.

The verdict was delivered by a High Court bench comprising Justice Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Mohammad Sagir Hossain on Monday (June 2).

Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney General Shamima Dipti represented the state, while senior lawyers including SM Shahjahan, Justice Mansurul Haque Chowdhury, Sheikh Md. Jahangir Alam, and Dulal Mallick argued for the defense.

Major Sinha, a retired army officer, was shot dead on July 31, 2020, at a police check-post on the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive near Shamlapur. The fatal shot was fired by Inspector Liaqat Ali, then attached to the Baharchhara Investigation Center.

Five days later, on August 5, 2020, Sinha’s sister Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous filed a case in court, terming the incident a deliberate murder. On December 13, 2020, the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) submitted a charge sheet accusing 15 individuals, categorizing the murder as "planned."

On January 31, 2022, the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court delivered its verdict. OC Pradeep and Inspector Liaqat were sentenced to death, while SI Nandadulal Rakshit and Constables Rubel Sharma and Sagar Dev were given life terms.

Additionally, Md. Nurul Amin, Mohammad Ayaz, and Md. Nizam Uddin — all residents of Marishbunia in Baharchhara — also received life sentences. The remaining seven accused were acquitted.

Following the verdict, the death reference was sent to the High Court for confirmation on February 8, 2022, and the convicted individuals filed appeals from prison.

The High Court's ruling today marks a major milestone in a case that sparked national outrage and renewed calls for accountability within law enforcement.

END/MSS/AJ