The High Court on Tuesday started the hearing on the death reference and appeal in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura.

The HC bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja started the hearing in the morning.

Deputy Attorney General Md Imam Hossain Tarek represented the state.

A Magura court on May 17, 2025, sentenced Hitu Sheikh, 50, the prime accused in the case and father-in-law of Asiya’s elder sister, to death, while acquitting his wife Jabeda Begum, 40, and two sons – Sajib Sheikh, 20, and Ratul Sheikh, 25.

The rape took place on the night of March 5 last year, when the victim was visiting her sister’s house at Nijnanduali village in Sadar upazila.

She went to bed with her sister that night, but around midnight, her sister found her missing and began searching for her.

After a frantic search, the girl was found unconscious a few yards from the house.

She was initially admitted to Magura General Hospital and later transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital as her condition worsened.

The girl was then moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and later to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, where she died on March 13.

The brutal incident sparked protests across the country. University students, including those from Dhaka University, staged demonstrations on their campuses demanding capital punishment for the accused.

Police arrested Hitu Sheikh and three of his family members in connection with the incident.

On June 10 this year, Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury formed a special High Court bench to dispose of the death reference and appeal in the case on a priority basis.