Sinha Murder: SP Masud dropped from charge sheet

Although former Cox's Bazar superintendent of police ABM Masud Hossain was named in the charge sheet filed over the murder of Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan, he was not formally charged for the murder.

"The investigation officer scrutinised the evidence and recommended that departmental action be taken against SP Masud," said Lt Col Ashiq Billah, director of Rapid Action Battalion's legal and media wing, at a press conference held at Rab's media centre yesterday.

"The officer found him [Masud] to be negligent in his duties and unprofessional. He did not visit the spot when former officer-in-charge of Teknaf Police Station Pradeep Kumar Das called him to report Sinha's death, which he should have; nor did he ensure emergency medical attention for Maj (retd) Sinha," said Billah.

"He also looked the other way while Pradeep carried out his activities in Teknaf," he said. "In addition, he acted indifferently when Pradeep tortured journalists and locals in the area.

"The investigation officer believes that the police superintendent should have been more dutiful," he added.

A phone call that had allegedly taken place between Pradeep and Masud immediately after the murder on July 31 was leaked on social media. In the call, Pradeep was heard telling Masud that an army major was killed in an encounter. Halfway through the call, Pradeep requested that they switch over to an encrypted call via mobile application Whatsapp.

On September 16, the home minister transferred ABM Masud to Rajshahi.

On September 10, Sharmen Shahria Ferdush, elder sister of Major (retd) Sinha, had sought to make SP ABM Masud Hossain an accused in the murder case, but a court later denied her request.

Then, on October 1, she sent an application to the investigation officer requesting him to include Masud's name in the charge sheet.

In the application, a copy of which The Daily Star obtained, she alleged that Masud advised Inspector Liaqat Ali on how to cover up the murder, and impeded Rab's investigation by transferring key policemen from Teknaf Police Station.

She also pointed out that right after the incident, SP Masud granted OC Pradeep medical leave, and allowed him to exit Cox's Bazar.

"Masud's name appeared in the charge sheet, which is a good thing. We can see this in a positive way. All the points we raised are mentioned in the charge sheet which is not a small matter," said Ferdush yesterday, when asked for her reaction.