The High Court has published its full verdict upholding the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh for the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura, one of the cases that drew nationwide outrage last year.

The 37-page verdict was published on the Supreme Court website on Monday.

A bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja had upheld Hitu’s death sentence on August 31.

Asiya was visiting her sister’s home in Magura Sadar during the Ramadan holidays when she was raped by Hitu, her sister’s father-in-law, on March 5 last year. He also attempted to kill her, according to the case.

The critically injured child was transferred to the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka, where she later died.

Asiya’s mother filed a case against Hitu and three others, all of whom were subsequently arrested.

The trial began on April 23, 2025, when charges were framed. Arguments concluded on May 13, and Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict four days later.

The tribunal sentenced Hitu to death and fined him 1 lakh taka.

It acquitted the three other defendants — Sajib Sheikh, 19; his 17-year-old brother; and their mother, Jaheda Begum, 40.

The case records were sent to the High Court on May 21 for mandatory confirmation of the death sentence under the Code of Criminal Procedure.

After scrutiny, the records were sent to BG Press to prepare the paper book. It reached the High Court on June 8, after which the case was placed before a specialised bench for hearing.

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