OC Pradeep’s mobile conversation during court proceedings caught on camera

Publish: 9:50 PM, August 25, 2021 | Update: 9:50 PM, August 25, 2021

Safiul Alam, Cox’s Bazar Correspondent
The court has withdrawn three members of the police force for negligence. This is due to the case of accused Officer in Charge (OC) Pradeep was caught having conversation through mobile phone while testifying in the Sinha murder case; A three-member investigation committee has been formed into the incident.

Cox’s Bazar Superintendent of Police Mohammad Hasanuzzaman confirmed the information at 12 noon on Wednesday.He did not give the names of the withdrawn policemen, but said they included an ATSI and two constables.

Additional Superintendent of Police Pankaj Barua of the district police office has been made the head of the three-member investigation committee, the superintendent of police said. Besides, two officers with the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) have been included in the committee.
One of the accused in the case, Pradeep Kumar Das, a sacked former OC of Teknaf Police Station, sat on a bench and spoke to an unidentified person on his mobile phone during the court proceedings on the first day of testimony in the Sinha murder case on Monday (August 23).

A picture of OC Pradeep sitting on the court bench talking on his mobile phone was spread on social media.This image has gone viral through various social media over the last two days. There was a storm of discussion at various levels including the court and the police.

OC Pradeep was wearing a black vest when he appeared in court on Monday, the first day of testimony in the Sinha murder case. His image, which has spread through social media, also shows that he was wearing a black vest. And when he appeared in court on the second day, Pradeep was wearing a pink vest.

Thepicture could be taken any time on Monday while testifying in court. 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 testifying in court spread through social media. The matter came to the notice of the judge in the court on Tuesday. The judge has informed the plaintiff and the accused’s lawyers about this.

“OC Pradeep may have been talking on his mobile phone at any time during his testimony in court on Monday. Someone present at the time took the picture on a mobile phone. However, it has not yet been verified whether the picture is authentic or not.”

The police superintendent said, “Immediate action has been taken against those involved in the police court after the matter was reported. The court on Tuesday night withdrew three members of the police and stationed them to the police line.”

Hasanuzzaman said a three-member inquiry committee headed by an additional superintendent of police has been formed to probe the incident.
Cox’s Bazar District and Sessions Judge’s Court Public Prosecutor (PP) Faridul Alam said the matter came to the attention of the judge on Tuesday while sitting on the court bench and talking on the mobile phone of former Teknaf Police Station OC Pradeep Kumar Das. Later, the judge warned OC Pradeep about this. Plaintiffs and defendants’ lawyers have also been asked to be vigilant in this regard.

Superintendent of Police Hasanuzzaman said departmental action would be taken against the accused after receiving the report of the investigation committee.