Sinha murder case: Second phase of testifying begins Sunday

The second phase of recording testimonies in the Sinha murder case will begin on Sunday (September 5) and will continue till September 8 for four consecutive days.

Out of 83 witnesses in the case at least 13 people may testify this time, public prosecutor Faridul Alam told to reporters.

In her statement to the court, plaintiff Sharmin Shahria said that Sinha Md. Rashed was shot dead by Inspector Liakat Ali on the instructions of dismissed OC of Teknaf Police Station Pradeep Kumar Das.

She filed the case against the accused with a Cox's Bazar court on August 5 last year after getting details of the murder from eyewitnesses. Claiming the killing premeditated she demanded capital punishment of all 15 accused in the charge sheet.

The court was conducted by District and Sessions Judge Mohammad Ismail. Pradeep Kumar Das, Inspector of Police Liakat Ali and 15 others were present in the courtroom during the interrogation.

On that night (July 31, 2020), Rashed was lying in the street after being shot by Liakat Ali, witness Shahedul Islam said in his statement to the court.

Pradeep went to the spot and first talked to Liakat Ali in secret. Then he went to Sinha and cursed in an offensive voice. Pradeep saw Sinha's body was moving the latter was shouting for water. Then Pradeep kicked Sinha in the chest and strangulated Sinha with his feet and confirmed his death.

The retired major Sinha was shot dead by police at Shamlapur check post on Teknaf Marine Drive road. Police filed three cases (two in Teknaf and one in Ramu police station).

Police arrested Shahedul Islam, who was with Sinha in the case. Police also detained two members of his video team, Shipra Debnath and Tahsin Rifat Nur, who entered the Nilima resort in Himchhari where Sinha was then. They were later released on bail.

Five days after the incident, on August 5, Sinha's elder sister Sharmin Shahria filed a murder case against Teknaf Police OC Pradeep Kumar Das, Inspector Liakat Ali and nine other policemen.

On December 13, 2020, the investigating officer and RAB-15 Cox's Bazar Senior Assistant Superintendent of Police Mohammad Khairul Islam filed the charge-sheet against 15 people including Pradeep Kumar Das.

Twelve of the arrested accused have given confessional statements in court. However, the then OC Pradeep and Constable Rubel Sharma did not give a confessional statement in court. Earlier, the accused were remanded for 12 to 15 days in three phases.