"How did they walk free?": Magura child's mother decries acquittal of three suspects

The mother of the 8-year-old girl who was raped and murdered in Magura has expressed anger over the acquittal of three of the four accused, despite the key suspect receiving the death penalty.

Speaking to reporters after the verdict was announced on Saturday, she said, “There were three others along with Hitu Sheikh. They helped him kill my daughter. How did they get acquitted?”

“I want them to be brought to justice too. They are guilty and should be punished.”

Referring to her son-in-law Sojib Sheikh, who was among those acquitted, she added, “She was his sister-in-law. He had a responsibility towards her. But he abandoned her.

“So how can we be satisfied with this verdict? I will go to the High Court to ensure those three are punished too.”

Earlier, Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered the verdict in the much-discussed case. The court sentenced the prime accused, Hitu Sheikh, to death and imposed a fine of Tk 100,000.

The three other suspects in the case -- Hitu's sons Sojib and Ratul Sheikh, and his wife Zaheda Begum -- were acquitted as the charges against them could not be proven.

When asked about a possible appeal regarding the three acquitted accused, Ehsanul Haque Shomaji, the special prosecutor appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, said, “We will collect a copy of the verdict and review it. If instructed or advised by the relevant authorities, there is an opportunity to file an appeal with the higher court in accordance with proper procedures.”