Magura child rape-murder: HC fixes Monday for verdict on death-row convict Hitu Sheikh’s appeal
The High Court on Tuesday deferred the delivery of its verdict in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya of Magura, in which death-row convict Hitu Sheikh has challenged his sentence.
The court fixed Monday for delivering the judgment following a time petition submitted by the prosecution.
The High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja heard the death reference and appeal filed by Hitu.
Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek 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, 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.
Trial completed in 13 working days
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 on Tuesday.