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HC defers verdict on Magura child rape, murder appeal
Published : Tuesday, 25 August, 2026 at 4:53 PM
Observer Correspondent
The High Court has deferred the delivery of its verdict on the death reference and appeal of Hitu Sheikh, who was sentenced to death in the widely discussed child Asiya rape and murder case in Magura.
Reacting to the delay, the child’s mother, Mst Ayesha Begum, expressed her deep frustration.
"I want the execution of the convict. But the court is repeatedly postponing the date. I will not accept any verdict other than death by hanging," she said.
The High Court was scheduled to deliver the judgment on Tuesday (August 25). However, a High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja fixed next Monday (August 31) as the new date following a time petition filed by the state side.
"It has been one and a half years since the case was filed. I do not know how much longer it will be delayed. If the court cannot give a death sentence, it should release the accused," Asiya's mother added after the postponement.
At the beginning of court proceedings, Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq submitted the time petition. He informed the court that the Attorney General conducted the hearing for the state side. As the Attorney General is currently abroad, the state prayed for time. The court subsequently granted the petition and fixed next Monday for the verdict.
Advocate Hafizur Rahman Khan acted as the state-appointed counsel for the defense, while Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq represented the state.
The brutal incident occurred at Nijnanduali village in Magura municipality. Eight-year-old Asiya went to visit her sister’s home in the area during the Ramadan vacation last year. She was raped on the morning of March 6. Her sister's father-in-law, Hitu Sheikh, allegedly raped her and attempted to kill her.
Asiya died on March 13 last year while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. The victim's mother filed a case against four people, including Hitu Sheikh. Police later arrested all the accused.
Police submitted the charge sheet in the case on April 13, 2025. The trial began on April 23 with the framing of charges. Deposition of witnesses started on April 27 and ended on May 7. A total of 29 witnesses testified for the prosecution. The judicial proceedings of the trial court were completed in just 13 working days.
Arguments in the case ended on May 13 last year at the ‘Magura Nari O Shishu Nirjatan Daman Tribunal,’ judge M Zahid Hasan presiding. The tribunal delivered its verdict on May 17.
The tribunal sentenced main accused Hitu Sheikh, 47, to death and fined him Tk 1 lakh.
However, the court acquitted three other accused in the case. They were the victim's brother-in-law Sajeeb Sheikh, Sajeeb's brother, and his mother Jaheda Begum.
According to the Code of Criminal Procedure, if a trial court awards the death penalty, the case records must be sent to the High Court for approval. Accordingly, the case documents were sent to the High Court on May 21 last year. Following scrutiny, the records were sent to the BG Press to prepare the paper book.
After preparation, the paper book was submitted to the High Court on June 8. The case was subsequently placed on the cause list of the specialized bench for hearing.
-MEA/SA
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
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