Bangladesh’s High Court is scheduled to deliver its verdict on Tuesday, August 25, on the death reference and appeal involving Hitu Sheikh in the rape and murder case of an eight-year-old child from Magura. A bench comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice K M Rasheduzzaman Raja fixed the date after concluding the hearing on Monday, August 24.

The hearing began on August 11 and was conducted on a priority basis. State-appointed lawyer Hafizur Rahman Khan argued for death-row convict Hitu Sheikh, while Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek represented the state. Assistant Attorneys General Rohani Siddika and Mahbuba Tasnim Ankhi were also involved in the state’s hearing.

The Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal sentenced Hitu Sheikh to death on May 17, 2025, while acquitting three other accused. The child was assaulted in early March 2025 in Nijnanduali village and died during treatment on March 13. The case is being heard by a special High Court bench formed for priority hearings of death references and appeals under the women and children repression law.