COX'S BAZAR, Aug 25, 2021 (BSS) - Three members of police have been

withdrawn for their negligence during court proceedings in the Sinha
murder case in Cox's Bazar.

  They policemen have been withdrawn as former Teknaf police station
officer-in-charge Pradeep Kumar Das, the prime accused in the Sinha
murder case, was found using a mobile phone in court on the first day
of trial, court sources said.

   Cox's Bazar Superintendent of Police (SP) Hasanuzzaman confirmed
the matter, saying three cops, including ASTI Shahab Uddin, have been
withdrawn and attached to the police lines.

   A three-member probe body headed by the additional superintendent
of police (sadar circle), Pankaj Barua, has been formed to look into
the matter, he said.

  In a viral photograph, Pradeep was seen talking on his mobile phone
while a witness was testifying in the murder case of Major (retd)
Sinha Mohammad Rashed Khan.

   After the image and video of the incident went viral, it sparked a
nationwide controversy.

  Public Prosecutor (PP) Faridul Alam said the image of Pradeep
talking over his mobile phone was not on Tuesday.

   "On that day, the colour of his vest was different. The picture may
be of the first day of testimony (Monday)," he said, adding that the
contacts he spoke to must be investigated.

  At that time, plaintiff Sharmin Shahria Ferdous was testifying in
the Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge's Court. Pradeep was seen
using his phone while standing with others accused at the court.

   According to a witness of the incident, Pradeep was speaking to
multiple contacts and was supplied the phone by a policeman on duty.

   Meanwhile, Sharmin Ferdous demanded exemplary punishment for those
involved, including OC Pradeep and Liaquat, noting that people across
the country were watching the verdict in Sinha's murder trial.

   Superintendent of Police Hasanuzzaman said a photo of former Teknaf
Police Station OC Pradeep sitting on a bench talking to a person on a
mobile phone while taking evidence in court spread through social
media. Public Prosecutor Advocate Faridul Alam brought the matter to
the notice of the judge in the court on Tuesday.

   Cox's Bazar District and Sessions Judge's Court Public Prosecutor
(PP) Faridul Alam said the matter came to the notice of the judge on
Tuesday when former Teknaf Police Station OC Pradeep Kumar Das was
sitting on the court bench talking on his mobile phone.

  Later, the judge warned OC Pradeep about this. The court also
directed the lawyers of the plaintiff and the accused to be
responsible in this regard.