Magura child rape-murder: HC verdict Tuesday

The High Court on Monday concluded hearings on the death reference and appeal filed by death-row convict Hitu Sheikh in the widely discussed case involving the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura. 

The bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja fixed Tuesday for delivering its verdict.

Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq appeared for the state, while state-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan represented Hitu.

According to case documents, Asiya was sexually assaulted on the night of March 5, 2024, while visiting her sister’s house. Hitu, 47, 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 to death and fined him 1 lakh taka for the offence.

The court acquitted the other three accused — Sajib Sheikh, his younger brother and their mother Zaheda Begum — as the charges against them were not proven.

As required by law, the trial court sent all case records to the HC 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 HC began hearing the death reference and the appeal filed by Hitu.