HC delays Asiya murder verdict to 31 August
Graphics: Agamir Somoy
High Court has set 31 August instead of Tuesday as the new date to deliver the verdict in the rape and murder case of Asiya from Magura.
The court was set to announce the verdict in the Asiya murder case on Tuesday. However, in response to an application by the prosecution, the High Court bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja postponed the scheduled date and fixed the new timeline.
State-appointed defense lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan represented the accused, while Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq represented the state in the High Court.
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 of the case 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.
Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu to death for the rape and murder of the child, alongside a fine of Tk 100,000. The tribunal acquitted the remaining three accused: Sajib Sheikh, Sajib’s younger brother, and Sajib’s mother Jaheda Begum.
