Pradeep Kumar Das, the then officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station, masterminded the killing of former army officer Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan, the High Court has said in its full text verdict.

“It has been proved beyond doubt that the death-row convict Pradeep Kumar Das was the mastermind of the murder in question. Being present at the scene during the incident, he kicked the victim, Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan, in the left side of his chest, causing fractures of two ribs, and pressed the left side of the victim’s neck with his foot to confirm his (Sinha’s) death,” the High Court bench of Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and Justice Md Sagir Hossain said in the verdict.

On Sunday, the 378-page full verdict was uploaded on the Supreme Court website.

Furthermore, after reviewing the prosecution witnesses’ testimonies, the confessional statements of the convicts, and strong circumstantial evidence, it has been proved that the other death-row convict, the then Baharchhara outpost in-charge Md Liaqat Ali, fired four consecutive shots at Sinha with the intention to kill the unarmed victim, according to the verdict.

On 2 June, the High Court upheld the death sentences of Pradeep and Liaqat and confirmed life imprisonment for six others, also imposing a Tk50,000 fine on each accused.

The High Court bench delivered the verdict after hearing the death reference (trial court documents) and the appeals filed by the convicts challenging the trial court judgement.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include former sub-inspector Nandadulal Rakshit of Teknaf Police Station, constables Rubel Sharma and Sagar Dev, and Baharchhara residents Md Nurul Amin, Ayaz, and Md Nizam Uddin.

The High Court verdict was authored by Justice Md Mostafizur Rahman with Justice Md Sagir Hossain concurring in it.

Following the release of the full text, the convicts can file appeals with the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court within 30 days, challenging the HC verdict, court sources said.

Major (retd) Sinha was killed around 9:30pm on 31 July 2020 at a police checkpoint on the Cox’s Bazar–Teknaf Marine Drive in Shamlapur.

On 5 August 2020, Sinha’s sister Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous filed a case with the court. On 13 December the same year, the Rapid Action Battalion submitted a charge sheet against 15 accused, describing the killing as a “planned murder”.

On 31 January 2022, Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Ismail sentenced Pradeep and Liaqat to death.

Police members Nandadulal, Rubel, and Sagar, and Baharchhara residents Nurul Amin, Ayaz, and Nizam were also handed down life imprisonment. Seven other accused were acquitted.