On March 6, 2025, an eight-year-old girl from Magura, tragically became the victim of a brutal rape and murder, a crime that sent shockwaves across the nation. The incident ignited widespread protests, fuelled demands for justice, and brought renewed urgency to addressing the deeply entrenched issue of gender-based violence in Bangladesh.
A cheerful third-grade student was playing near her home in a rural part of Magura Sadar Upazila on the afternoon of March 6, 2025. At approximately 3:00pm, she was reportedly lured or abducted by Hitu Sheikh, a 44-year-old local man who was the father-in-law of the victim’s elder sister. Hitu, a known figure within the community, allegedly exploited his familial connection to gain the young girl’s trust.
The prosecution’s case detailed how Hitu took the child to a secluded location where he subjected her to a brutal rape, inflicting severe internal injuries and trauma. Afterward, the victim was left in critical condition.
Local residents discovered her later that evening, around 6:00pm, after her family raised an alarm when she did not return home. Her body bore clear and disturbing signs of violence, including bruises, lacerations, and definitive evidence of sexual assault.
The girl was immediately rushed to Magura Sadar Hospital. Due to the critical nature of her injuries, she was transferred to the more specialised Dhaka’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on March 7.
Medical reports revealed the extent of the damage: multiple fractures, internal hemorrhaging, and significant organ damage.
Despite receiving intensive medical care, the child’s condition continued to deteriorate. Tragically, she suffered three cardiac arrests on March 13, 2025, and ultimately passed away at approximately 2:00pm.
The medical team concluded that her death was a direct result of multiple organ failure stemming from the severe trauma of the sexual assault.
Crucially, forensic evidence, including DNA samples recovered from her body that matched Hitu Sheikh, played a pivotal role in identifying him as the primary suspect in this horrific crime.
The Magura Police Station swiftly launched a comprehensive investigation following the discovery of the girl.
Suspicion quickly centered on Hitu Sheikh and several of his family members: Sajib Sheikh (victim’s brother-in-law), Ratul Sheikh (Hitu’s younger son), and Jaheda Begum (Hitu’s wife). On March 8, 2025, all four were apprehended based on initial evidence and witness statements.
Hitu Sheikh was formally charged with both rape and murder. Sajib Sheikh and Ratul Sheikh faced charges of criminal intimidation for allegedly threatening the victim’s family to prevent them from reporting the crime, while Jaheda Begum was charged with tampering with evidence, suspected of attempting to conceal Hitu’s actions.
The investigation encountered some initial resistance from the local community, potentially due to Hitu’s influence.
However, compelling forensic evidence, including the presence of semen traces and bloodstains, coupled with crucial testimonies from neighbors who placed Hitu near the crime scene, significantly strengthened the case against him.
Furthermore, the police recovered the victim’s torn clothing and personal belongings, which proved invaluable in reconstructing the sequence of events leading to the tragic outcome.