HC upholds death sentence of Hitu Sheikh in Asia rape-murder case

The High Court has upheld the death sentence of Hitu Sheikh, the prime accused in the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asia in Magura.

A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and K M Rashedur Rahman Raja passed the order on Monday (August 31).

The High Court heard the death reference and Hitu Sheikh’s appeal against the trial court’s verdict from August 11. The verdict was originally scheduled for August 25 but was deferred following a prosecution plea.

Hitu Sheikh was represented by state-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan, while Deputy Attorney General Imam Hasan Tariq appeared for the state, assisted by Assistant Attorneys General Rohani Siddiqua and Mahbuba Tasnim Akhi.

As per the case details, on March 6, 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, 2025, while undergoing treatment.

Hitu Sheikh, the father-in-law of Asia’s sister, was named the prime accused in the case. On May 17, 2025, the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced him to death.

The same court acquitted three other accused—Asia’s sister’s husband Sajib Sheikh, Sajib’s brother Ratul Sheikh and their mother Zaheda Begum.

The trial court’s death sentence was later sent to the High Court as a death reference, while Hitu Sheikh appealed against the verdict. After hearing both matters, the High Court today upheld his death sentence.

The Chief Justice constituted a special High Court bench on June 10, 2026, to prioritise the disposal of death references and appeals in cases involving violence against women and children.