The Ex-Forces Association, a platform of retired military and paramilitary personnel, has demanded that OC Pradeep Kumar Das and Inspector Liaqat Ali be executed within seven days of the completion of the appeal hearings over the murder of former SSF member Major (retd) Sinha Md Rashed Khan at a checkpoint in the beach town Cox's Bazar in 2020.

The group also called for the appeal and death reference hearings to be completed within a month.

At a press conference held at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity today, Lieutenant Commander (Retd) Mohammad Mehedi Hasan voiced the demands on behalf of the association. He alleged that during the "fascist Awami League era," the judicial process was deliberately stalled due to the accused’s close political connections.

The association expressed its gratitude to the Chief Justice for instructing the judiciary to prioritise disposal of the case, calling it a long-overdue move towards justice.

In a stern warning, Mehedi Hasan urged the judiciary, Home Ministry, and Law Ministry to remain vigilant against any “threats, inducements or political pressure” that might influence the verdict. “If the caretaker government fails to implement the sentence within seven days after the appeals are resolved, we will be compelled to announce tougher actions,” he added.

He also took aim at Dr Asif Nazrul, advisor to the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, calling him a “stain among advisors.” Mehedi said, “Asif Nazrul should work solely in the interest of Bangladesh. If he fails to do so, the people will bring him down from his seat.”