The High Court (HC) on Tuesday set August 31 for pronouncing its judgment on the death reference and jail appeals in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura.

The High Court division bench, comprising Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja, fixed the date this morning.

Deputy Attorney General Imam Hossain Tarek argued for the state, while state-appointed defence counsel Hafizur Rahman Khan defended the convict.

According to the case details, on March 6, 2025, the child was visiting her elder sister's in-laws' house, where she was raped.

She was initially taken to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition and was later transferred to the capital's Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where she succumbed to her injuries on March 13.

Following the incident, the victim's mother filed a case with Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

On May 17, 2025, the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal convicted and sentenced the prime accused, Hitu Sheikh—the father-in-law of Asiya's elder sister—to death in the case.

The tribunal, however, acquitted Hitu's wife, Jaheda Begum, and his sons, Ratul Sheikh and Sajib Sheikh, of the charges.

The death reference in the case reached the High Court for its approval on May 21, 2025.

On August 11, 2026, the High Court began hearing the death reference and jail appeals filed in the case on a priority basis.

Chief Justice Zubayer Rahman Chowdhury on June 10, 2026, constituted a dedicated High Court bench for hearing, on a priority basis, death references for confirmation of death sentences awarded under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, as well as appeals arising from the same judgments.

Attorney General Md Ruhul Quddus Kazol also formed a special prosecutors' team to take part in the hearing of such cases.