DHAKA, Aug 31, 2026 (BSS) - The High Court (HC) today upheld the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh in the case lodged over the sensational rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura.

A High Court Division bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja pronounced the judgment after hearing the death reference and jail appeals in the case.

The High Court on August 25 had fixed today to pronounce judgment in the case. Earlier on August 11, the High Court started its hearing on a priority basis on the matters.

Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek argued for the state, while state-appointed defence counsel Hafizur Rahman Khan defended the convict.

Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal on May 17, 2025, convicted
and sentenced the prime accused, Hitu Sheikh, father-in-law of the elder sister of Asiya, to death in the case. It, however, acquitted Hitu's wife, Jaheda Begum, and sons Ratul Sheikh and Sajib Sheikh of the charges.

The death reference in the case reached the High Court for its approval on May 21, 2025.

As per the case details, on March 6, 2025, the child was visiting her elder sister's in-laws' house, where she was raped. She was initially taken to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition and was later transferred to the capital's Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where she died on March 13.

Following the incident, the victim's mother had filed the case with Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury on June 10, 2026, constituted the dedicated High Court bench for hearing, on a priority basis, death references for confirmation of death sentences awarded under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, as well as appeals arising from the same judgments. Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazol too formed a special prosecutors' team to take part in the hearing of such cases.