Magura child murder case moves to High Court death reference hearing stage
The high-profile child rape and murder case from Magura has moved closer to a High Court hearing following the arrival of the formal case records at the Death Reference branch on Monday. Known as the "paper book," this comprehensive document—containing the case history, witness testimonies, and the lower court's verdict—was finalized and printed by the government press to facilitate the upcoming judicial review.
The proceedings stem from a verdict delivered on May 17 last year by the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, which sentenced Hitu Sheikh, the brother-in-law of the victim’s sister, to death. Three other co-accused were acquitted in the same judgment. Following the sentencing, the judicial records were forwarded to the High Court on May 21 to initiate the mandatory death reference process, as all capital punishments in Bangladesh require confirmation by the High Court.
Hitu Sheikh subsequently filed an appeal against his conviction on June 25, which the High Court accepted on July 1. While the appellate process and the death reference are typically heard concurrently, the preparation of the paper book serves as the critical prerequisite for the court to schedule a bench and commence hearings. According to Supreme Court administrative sources, there are currently approximately 1,200 death reference cases pending, with current hearings focusing on matters filed in 2018. However, the court maintains the discretion to prioritize cases of exceptional public concern.
The development coincides with broader judicial efforts to expedite the resolution of heinous crimes. Attorney General Md. Ruhul Quiddos Kajal recently met with the Chief Justice to address public concerns regarding the significant time gaps between lower court sentencing and appellate review. In response to the growing public anxiety over delayed justice, the Chief Justice has committed to establishing a dedicated High Court bench, effective next Sunday, specifically tasked with prioritizing and accelerating the adjudication of cases under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.
The underlying case began on March 6 of last year, when the child was discovered in an unconscious state at her sister’s residence and subsequently transported to the Magura 250-bed hospital. She later succumbed to her injuries on March 13 at the Combined Military Hospital in Dhaka. A formal case was registered by the victim’s mother on March 8, leading to a swift investigation and a lower court trial that concluded with a verdict just 73 days after the initial incident. With the paper book now secured, the case awaits the official assignment of a High Court bench to proceed toward a final ruling.
