High Court upholds death sentences for two, life terms for six others
The trial and High Court proceedings in the murder case of retired major Sinha Md Rashed Khan have concluded, but the case is yet to reach a final resolution. The convicts have appealed against the High Court verdict that upheld the death sentences of two accused and life imprisonment for six others.
The case is now pending before the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, which has set December 1 to hear the appeals. On October 18, Justice Md Rezaul Haque, sitting as a chamber judge of the Appellate Division, fixed the date.
On June 2, 2025, the High Court upheld the death sentences of former Teknaf police station officer-in-charge Pradeep Kumar Das and inspector Liaquat Ali. It also upheld the life sentences of six other convicts.
The 378-page full text of the High Court verdict was released on November 20, 2025.
In its full verdict, the High Court identified Pradeep as the mastermind behind the murder. According to the court’s observations, he was present at the scene, struck Sinha on the chest and pressed his foot against his throat to ensure his death. The court reached the conclusion based on the prosecution witnesses’ testimony and the autopsy report.
The verdict said Liaquat, acting according to a prior plan, arrived at the scene and fired four shots from his service pistol at vital parts of the upper body of unarmed Sinha. The autopsy report stated that Sinha died from the gunshot injuries.
The court found that the roles of Pradeep in planning and carrying out the killing and Liaquat in firing the shots had been established beyond reasonable doubt through evidence. It therefore found no reason to interfere with the trial court’s decision to impose the death penalty.
The High Court verdict said Sinha came to Cox’s Bazar with several associates on July 2, 2020, to record videos and photographs of hills, forests and sea beaches for his YouTube channel, ‘Just Go’.
While working in Cox’s Bazar, Teknaf and Ramu, he learned from local people about alleged extortion, enforced disappearances and killings in so-called crossfire incidents involving Pradeep and some members of his force. He also recorded accounts of victims.
According to the verdict, Pradeep learned of Sinha’s activities through sources and threatened him, asking him to stop the work and leave the area. When Sinha continued, Pradeep, Liaquat and several others conspired to kill him, the court observed, citing evidence presented during the trial. The verdict also mentioned that several people had been assigned to monitor Sinha’s movements.
The court further referred to an announcement made through a mosque loudspeaker, describing Sinha and his associates as robbers and calling for them to be beaten to death by a mob when they returned from the hills. The observations were made after examining witness testimony and the accused’s confessional statements.
Life sentences for six convicts
The six convicts whose life sentences were upheld by the High Court are former police sub-inspector Nandadulal Rakkhit, constables Rubel Sharma and Sagar Deb, and Md Nurul Amin, Mohammad Aiyaz and Md Nizam Uddin.
The full verdict said the charges of conspiracy, assistance and common intention in the murder had been proved against them beyond reasonable doubt.
Considering the nature of their offences, the trial court had sentenced them to life imprisonment instead of death. The High Court found the decision appropriate and reasonable and saw no grounds to interfere with the sentences.
From trial court to Appellate Division
Retired Major Sinha Md Rashed Khan was shot dead by police at the Shamlapur checkpost on the Cox’s Bazar-Teknaf Marine Drive on the night of July 31, 2020. His sister, Sharmin Shahriya Ferdous, filed a murder case over the killing.
On January 31, 2022, the Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court delivered its verdict, sentencing Pradeep Kumar Das and Liaquat Ali to death and six others to life imprisonment. Seven accused were acquitted.
The case was later sent to the High Court to confirm the death sentences. The convicts filed appeals and jail appeals against the verdict. Sinha’s sister and case plaintiff, Sharmin Shahriya Ferdous, also appealed the acquittals and sought enhancement of the sentences imposed on the six convicts.
The High Court disposed of the appeals on June 2, 2025, upholding the trial court’s verdict.
The next stage is the hearing at the Appellate Division on December 1. The parties are awaiting the court’s decision on the convicts’ appeals.
Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court public prosecutor Advocate Mohammad Yunus said the trial proceedings in the murder case were no longer being conducted in Cox’s Bazar, as the case was pending before the higher court.
The case, which has drawn considerable public attention, now awaits further legal proceedings at the Appellate Division.
By Tarekur Rahman
