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Published : 13 May 2025, 08:17 PM
The prosecution in the rape and murder case of an 8-year-old Magura child believes the main accused, Hitu Sheikh, deserves capital punishment in view of his confessional statement, witness testimonies, a DNA test, and evidence.
Public Prosecutor Monirul Islam Mukul said this after Judge M Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal set May 17 for the verdict in the case on Tuesday.
He said, "We have submitted all the evidence on behalf of the plaintiff. All the witnesses testified against Hitu Sheikh, while he also gave a confessional statement under Section 164. A DNA test also proved that Hitu Sheikh was the child’s rapist.
"That is why we are hoping that Hitu Sheikh will receive the capital punishment in both sections of the case along with his accomplices.”
On his way to the prison from court, Hitu reiterated his “innocence” and demanded re-investigation of the case, despite his confessional statement.
The suspects in the case are Hitu Sheikh, Sojib Sheikh, Ratul Sheikh, and Rokeya Begum. Hitu is the father-in-law of the child's sister, Rokeya is his wife, and Sojib and Ratul are their sons. They were brought to court under heavy security ahead of the hearing.
PP Mukul said that on the eighth day of hearings, the accused had been identified and their testimonies heard.
The final arguments in the case began on Monday and continued into Tuesday. After they concluded, the judge set May 17 for the verdict.
The testimonies of 29 witnesses were heard by the court during the trial.
A child from Sreepur Upazila came to visit her elder sister's house in Nijnanduali village in Magura suburb on Mar 1. There, she was raped on Mar 6.
She was first taken to the Magura 250-bed hospital and later to Faridpur Medical College Hospital before her transfer to Dhaka for advanced treatment.
The child died at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in the capital on Mar 13.
On Mar 8, the victim’s mother filed a case with Magura Sadar police, naming the four suspects.
Case investigation officer and Inspector (Investigation) Md Alauddin of Magura Sadar Police Station submitted the chargesheet to the court on Apr 13.
According to court sources, the charges against Hitu were brought under Section 9/2 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act (crime of death from rape), against Sojib and Ratul under Section 506 of the Penal Code (intimidation), and against Rokeya under Section 201 of the Penal Code (destruction of evidence of a crime).
