Paper book presentation completed as High Court proceedings begin.
Representational image. Photo: Collected
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Representational image. Photo: Collected
The High Court today (11 August) began hearing the death reference and appeal of the convict in the widely discussed rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura.
The hearing began before a High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja.
Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tareq said the presentation of the paper book was completed today.
The rape took place around midnight on 5 March 2025, when Asiya was visiting her sister’s in-laws’ house in Nijnanduali village of Sadar upazila in Magura.
She went to bed with her sister that night, but around midnight, her sister found her missing and began searching for her.
After a frantic search, the girl was found unconscious a few yards from the house.
She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened.
She was then moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later to Combined Military Hospital, Dhaka, where she died on 13 March.
The incident sparked protests across the country, with students staging demonstrations on their campuses demanding capital punishment for the accused. Police subsequently arrested Hitu Sheikh.
The murder charge was added after Asiya died.
Sadar Police Station Sub-Inspector and case investigation officer Md Alauddin submitted the charge sheet to the court on 13 April, naming four accused.
On 23 April, the court framed charges against them.
On 17 May, a Magura court sentenced Hitu Sheikh to death and acquitted the other three accused.
Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, when a trial court imposes a death sentence, the entire case record must be sent to the High Court for confirmation.
Accordingly, the case records were sent to the High Court on 21 May last year. Following scrutiny and verification, the records were sent to the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) for preparation of the paper book.
After the paper book was prepared, it was sent to the High Court on 8 June. The case was subsequently listed for hearing before a specialised bench.
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