Asiya rape and murder case
HC upholds death sentence for Hitu Sheikh
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
High Court has upheld the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh in Asiya’s rape and murder case in Magura.
Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja delivered the verdict on Monday.
The tribunal sentenced the main accused, Hitu Sheikh, 47, to death and also fined him Tk 1,00,000 and acquitted the remaining three accused: Sajib Sheikh, Sajib’s younger brother, and Sajib’s mother Jaheda Begum.
State-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan stood for the defense in the High Court. Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq represented the state.
According to the case documents, Asiya, 8, was raped on 5 March 2025 while visiting her sister’s house during the Ramadan holidays. Her sister’s father-in-law, Hitu Sheikh, not only raped the girl but also attempted to kill her.
She later died while undergoing treatment at the Dhaka Combined Military Hospital. Following the incident, Asiya’s mother filed a case as the plaintiff against four individuals, including Hitu Sheikh, leading to their arrest.
The police submitted the charge sheet on 13 April 2025, and the trial began with the framing of charges on 23 April. The recording of witness testimonies began on 27 April during which 29 witnesses testified on behalf of the state.
The recording of testimonies concluded on 7 May 2025, wrapping up the trial proceedings in just 13 working days. On 13 May 2025, the final arguments of the case were concluded in the court of Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, and the verdict was delivered on 17 May 2025.
