Magura child rape, murder: Death for prime accused Hitu Sheikh, three acquitted

A Magura tribunal has handed down death sentence to the main accused, Hitu Sheikh, in the harrowing case of the rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl. The District Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal Judge M Zahid Hasan announced the verdict at around 9:30 am on Saturday.

The convicted Hitu Sheikh is the father-in-law of the victim's elder sister. Three other defendants in the case – Sajib Sheikh (the sister's brother-in-law), Ratul Sheikh (Sajib's brother), and their mother Jaheda Begum – were found not guilty and acquitted by the court.

Police had filed their charge sheet in the widely publicised case on April 13, leading to the formal commencement of the trial on April 23. Witness testimonies began on April 27, with the prosecution presenting a total of 29 individuals.

The tribunal expedited the proceedings, concluding the trial in just twelve working days, excluding holidays. This swift conclusion is reported to be the second-fastest verdict in the history of the judicial system.

The victim, Asiya, was visiting her sister's in-laws in the Nijananduali village of Magura sadar on March 6 when the rape incident took place. The incident sparked widespread condemnation and protests in Magura and across the country.

Following the crime, the victim's mother, Ayesha Akter, filed a case with the Sadar Police Station on March 8, naming all four individuals as the accused.