The High Court has upheld the death sentence for police officer Pradeep Kumar Das (OC Pradeep) and police inspector Liakat Ali in the case of the murder of retired army major Sinha Md. Rashed Khan.
Life Sentence Remains for Other Six Accused
The High Court also decided to keep the life imprisonment sentence for the other six accused in this case. Additionally, the fine of 50,000 Taka for each of these six individuals will also remain in place.
High Court Bench Delivered the Verdict
The verdict was announced on Monday, June 2nd, 2025, by a special bench of the High Court. This bench consisted of Justice Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Mohammad Sagir Hossain.
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Lawyers Who Represented Each Side
During the court hearing, the Attorney General Md. Asaduzzaman and Deputy Attorney Generals Shamima Deepti, Jasim Sarkar, Assistant Attorney Generals Barrister Sumaiya Aziz, and Laboni Akter represented the government (the state).
On the other side, the accused were represented by senior lawyers S M Shahjahan, Justice Mansurul Haq Chowdhury, Advocate Sheikh Md. Jahangir Alam, and Dulal Mollik.
How Major Sinha Was Killed
Major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, who had retired from the army, was shot and killed by the police on the night of July 31, 2020. This incident happened at the Shamalapur police checkpoint on the টেকনাফ মেরিন ড্রাইভ (Teknaf Marine Drive) road.
Lower Court’s Decision in 2022
The verdict for this widely discussed case was initially given by the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Court on January 31, 2022. In that verdict, the then police officer-in-charge ( বরখাস্তকৃত ওসি – dismissed OC) of Teknaf Police Station, Pradeep Kumar Das, and the police inspector of Baharchhara Police Investigation Center, Liakat Ali, were sentenced to death. The other six accused in the case received life imprisonment.
Appeals in the High Court
Following the lower court’s decision, the accused individuals appealed to the High Court against the verdict. At the same time, the state (government) asked the High Court to approve (অনুমোদন – অনুমোদন) the death sentences given to the two main accused.
Source: Jamuna
