The High Court on Monday upheld the death sentences of former Teknaf Police Station OC Pradeep Kumar Das and ex-inspector Liakat Ali for their roles in the killing of retired army major Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan, a case that drew national attention and intensified scrutiny on law enforcement.

The bench of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain also upheld the life imprisonment of six other accused. Each convict will have to pay a fine of Tk 50,000, as per the court's ruling.

The verdict follows the conclusion of hearings on the death references and appeals filed by the convicts, which were wrapped up on May 29. 

Major Sinha murder case: HC starts hearing on death references

Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state, assisted by Deputy Attorney Generals Humayun Kabir Manju and Shamima Dipty. Senior advocate SM Shahjahan argued on behalf of the defence.

Major Sinha, who had taken early retirement from the Bangladesh Army and was working on a travel documentary, was shot dead on the night of July 31, 2020 by police at a check-post in Shamlapur along the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive.

Then-Baharchhara outpost in-charge Liakat Ali fired the shots, while OC Pradeep was later accused of orchestrating the killing.

Sinha’s sister, Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous, filed a murder case five days later, on 5 August. On December 13, 2020, the Rapid Action Battalion submitted a charge sheet against 15 people, describing the incident as a ‘pre-planned murder’.

On January 31, 2022, the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court sentenced Pradeep and Liakat to death, while six others, including three police officers and three informants, were handed life sentences. Seven other accused were acquitted.

Army Chief inaugurates ‘Sinha Memorial Plaque’ in Cox’s Bazar: ISPR

The case reached the High Court for mandatory death reference review, and the convicts appealed their sentences.

With Monday’s verdict, the High Court reaffirmed the lower court’s decision, marking a significant moment in the pursuit of justice in cases of extrajudicial killings.