Online Desk 

The High Court will deliver its verdict today, Tuesday (August 25), on the death reference and appeal filed in the rape and murder case of eight-year-old Ayesha, a widely discussed case in Magura. The verdict concerns the case’s prime accused, Hitu Sheikh.

A High Court bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja fixed today for the verdict after concluding the hearing on Monday.

Earlier, the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh to death and fined him Tk 100,000. The court acquitted the other three accused in the same case.

According to case documents, Ayesha was assaulted on the night of March 5, 2025, while visiting her sister’s home in Nijananduali area of Magura town. She was later taken to the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka in critical condition, where she died while undergoing treatment.

Following the incident, Ayesha’s mother filed a case against four people.

The trial proceedings were completed quickly. A total of 29 witnesses testified for the prosecution, with the recording of testimony concluding on May 7 last year. The Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered its verdict on May 17.

As the trial court handed down a death sentence, the case records were sent to the High Court for mandatory approval of the death penalty. The High Court subsequently heard the death reference and the accused’s appeal.