The High Court has upheld the death sentence of 47-year-old Hitu Sheikh for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura. Asiya was assaulted on March 5, 2024, at her sister’s home and later died at CMH Dhaka. The Magura tribunal completed trial in 13 working days, sentencing Hitu to death while acquitting three co-accused for lack of evidence.
The High Court on Monday upheld the death sentence of the main accused Hitu Sheikh after hearing the death reference and appeal in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya from Magura.
A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja heard the death reference and appeal filed by Hitu and delivered the verdict at around 11am.
State-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan represented the accused in court. Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal, Deputy Attorney General Syed Ejaz Kabir and Imam Hossain Tarek represented the state.
According to case documents, Asiya was sexually assaulted on the night of March 5, 2024, while visiting her sister’s house. Hitu, 47, who was her sister’s father-in-law, raped the child and attempted to strangle her.
Locals rescued Asiya in critical condition and took her to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, where she later died while undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, Asiya’s mother filed a case against Hitu and three others.
Police arrested the accused and submitted a charge sheet on April 13, 2025. The trial court recorded statements from 29 witnesses.
The Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal completed the trial in just 13 working days and delivered its verdict on May 17, 2025.
Tribunal Judge M Zahid Hasan sentenced Hitu Sheikh to death and fined him 1 lakh taka.
The tribunal acquitted the other three accused – Sajib Sheikh, his younger brother and their mother Jaheda Begum – as the charges against them could not be proven.
As required by law, the trial court sent all case records to the High Court on May 21, 2025, for confirmation of the death sentence through a death reference.
Following preparation of the paper book and completion of the necessary legal procedures, the High Court began hearing the death reference and the appeal filed by Hitu, which concluded last Tuesday and then delivered the verdict today.