The High Court is set to deliver its verdict today on the death reference and appeal of Hitu Sheikh, the main accused in the murder and rape case of eight-year-old Achhiya from Magura.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja is scheduled to announce the verdict on Monday. The hearing on the death reference and appeal in the case concluded on August 24.

On May 17 last year, the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh to death and imposed a fine of Tk 100,000 in connection with the murder and rape of the child. The court acquitted the other three accused in the case.

Achhiya, aged eight, was allegedly subjected to abuse on March 5 last year while visiting her sister’s home during the Ramadan holidays. She later died while undergoing treatment in Dhaka. Following the incident, the child’s mother filed a case against four people.

The trial proceedings in the high-profile case were completed in just 13 working days. Under legal procedure, the case records were sent to the High Court for confirmation of the death sentence handed down by the trial court.

The High Court will today deliver its verdict on the death reference and the appeal filed by the convicted accused.