Verdict in Asiya rape-murder case on 17 May

The much-talked-about verdict in the sensational rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura will be delivered on May 17.

Judge Md Zahid Hasan of the Magura Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal fixed the date after concluding arguments from both the plaintiff and the defence on Tuesday.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Advocate Monirul Islam Mokul, said arguments were presented in presence of the accused and expressed the hope that justice would be served for the victim.

A total of 29 witnesses testified in the case and seven pieces of evidence were seized, he added.

According to the case statement, the rape took place at night of March 5, when the victim was visiting her sister’s house in Nijnanduali village of Magura 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.

She was then moved to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH) and later to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), Dhaka, where the child succumbed to her injuries on March 13.