The prime accused in the case relating to the rape and murder of an 8-year-old girl in Magura has confessed to the crime in a court statement under Section 164 of the Code of Criminal Procedure.
The confession was recorded on Saturday afternoon by Senior Judicial Magistrate Sabhyasachi Roy.
Magura Additional Police Superintendent Mirajul Islam confirmed the confession, stating that a press conference would be held at the Police Superintendent’s office on Sunday to provide further details.
Shahid Hasan Togar, the plaintiff’s panel lawyer and General Secretary of the District Lawyers' Association, also confirmed the confession and stated that the accused, Hitu Sheikh, admitted to raping the child after finding her alone in a secluded room. Following the confession, Hitu was sent to Magura District Jail.
The incident occurred on March 5 when the victim, who was visiting her sister’s house in the Nijnanduali area of Magura town, was allegedly raped and suffocated. Initially, the child was admitted to Magura 250-bed Hospital, but her condition deteriorated, leading to her transfer to Dhaka Medical College Hospital and later to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka.
She passed away on March 13 while undergoing treatment. Her body was later flown to Magura via an army helicopter, and she was buried after two funeral prayers—one at Nomani Maidan in Magura town and another at Sonai Kund Government Primary School ground in Shripur Upazila.
The victim’s mother filed a case under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act at Magura Sadar Police Station on March 8. The accused, including Hitu Sheikh, his wife Jaheda Begum, and their two sons, Sajib Sheikh and Ratul Sheikh, were already in police custody.
Due to security concerns, the police presented the accused in court late at night on March 9, where the magistrate granted a seven-day remand for Hitu and a five-day remand for the other three accused.
The case has sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice, highlighting the urgent need for stronger measures to protect children from such heinous crimes. The confession marks a critical step in the legal proceedings, but the community continues to demand swift and stringent punishment for the perpetrators.
