Sinha murder: Defence lawyers allegedly obstruct trial

On the first day of recording statements of the witnesses in the Maj. (retd) Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan murder case trial, the defence plawyers allegedly tried to delay the proceedings at a Cox’s Bazar court.

Defendant’s lawyer advocate Rana Dash Gupta submitted 11 petitions praying to suspend the case but the court didn’t accept them, said Plaintiffs’ lawyer advocate Mohammad Jahangir and public prosecutor advocate Faridul Alam to media.

Meanwhile, the trial proceedings of the sensational murder case began with ³⁰recording the testimonial statement of Sinha’s sister and plaintiff of the case Sharmin Shahriar Ferdous.

Thirteen lawyers presenting the defendant’s side cross-questioned the testimony of the witness today.

On Tuesday, Sharmin will be questioned by the lawyers of main accused suspended OC Pradeep and suspended Inspector Liakat Ali.

At 5pm the court was adjourned till Monday and said other witnesses will start testifying on August 24 and 25 following the plaintiff.

Until August 25, statements of 15 of the 83 witnesses in this case including the plaintiff will be testified before the court.

On June 27, Cox’s Bazar district and session judge Mohammad Ismail Hossain took charge of the case and declared the date for recording statements of 10 witnesses on July 26, 27 and 28, said public prosecutor advocate Faridul Alam.

But the date was postponed later due to government imposed lockdown to contain the Covid-19 spread, he said.

On July 31 last year, Sinha was shot dead at the Shamlapur police check-post in Baharchhara Union of Cox’s Bazar while returning to town after filming for a documentary.