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The mother of eight-year-old Achia, who was raped and murdered in Magura, has said she will accept no verdict other than the execution of the death sentence handed to the prime accused.
“I want the accused to be hanged. But they keep delaying it, saying today or tomorrow. I will not accept any verdict other than the death penalty,” Achia’s mother, Mosammat Ayesha Begum, told reporters on Tuesday.
She was speaking after the High Court postponed its verdict on the death reference and appeal filed by Hitu Sheikh, who was sentenced to death by a trial court in the widely discussed case.
The High Court had been scheduled to deliver its verdict on Tuesday. However, following a time petition from the state, a bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakraborty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja fixed August 31 for the verdict.
Expressing frustration over the delay, Ayesha said, “It has been one and a half years since the case began. I don’t know how much longer it will be delayed. If the court cannot uphold the death sentence, then release the accused.”
At the start of Tuesday’s proceedings, Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek sought more time, saying Attorney General Md Asaduzzaman, who had conducted the state’s arguments in the case, was currently abroad. The court granted the request and set August 31 as the new date for the verdict.
State-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan represented Hitu Sheikh, while Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek appeared for the state.
The horrific incident took place in Magura Sadar upazila on March 5 last year. Achia had gone to her sister’s home in Nijnanduali during the Ramadan holidays when she was raped. Her sister’s father-in-law, Hitu Sheikh, also attempted to kill her.
The child later died while undergoing treatment at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
Achia’s mother filed a case against Hitu Sheikh and three others. Police subsequently arrested all four accused.
Police submitted the charge sheet on April 13, 2025, and charges were framed on April 23. The trial began with witness testimony on April 27, with 29 prosecution witnesses appearing before the court.
The trial was completed in just 13 working days. Closing arguments were concluded on May 13 last year, and the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal delivered its verdict on May 17.
The tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh, 47, to death and fined him Tk 100,000 for the rape and murder of Achia.
The three other accused were acquitted. They were Sajeeb Sheikh, 19, the husband of Achia’s sister; Sajeeb’s younger brother, 17; and Sajeeb’s mother, Jaheda Begum, 40.
Under the Code of Criminal Procedure, a death sentence handed down by a trial court must be reviewed by the High Court for confirmation. Accordingly, the case records were sent to the High Court on May 21 last year.
After scrutiny, the records were sent to the Bangladesh Government Press (BG Press) for preparation of the paper book. The completed paper book was submitted to the High Court on June 8, after which the case was placed before a specialised bench for hearing.
The High Court’s decision on Hitu Sheikh’s death reference and appeal is now scheduled for August 31.