In one of the quickest and most significant verdicts in recent memory, a Magura court on Saturday sentenced 44-year old Himu Sheikh to death for rape and murder of the eight-year old of sister of his doughter-in-law.
The verdict was hunded down within just 14 working days of the trial’s commencement. This marks a watershed and the trial completed in record time is groundbreaking in the country as rape case trials can often take several years to conclude. This remarkable pace reflects a strong commitment to justice, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s directive to complete such trials within 90 days of the filing of the FIR (First Information Report). Notably, the law ministry adviser had earlier urged that trials be concluded within 30 working days—yet the court was able to reach a verdict in less than half
that time. We commend the Magura court for this swiftest verdict which sentenced one to death.
The special public prosecutor diligently followed all necessary legal procedures, enabling the court to pronounce the verdict. The heinous crime took place on March 6, when Hitu Sheikh—the father-in-law of the victim’s elder sister—raped the child during her visit to their home.
She died on March 13 from severe injuries sustained during the attack. Initially admitted to Magura Sadar Hospital in critical condition, she was later transferred to Dhaka’s Combined Military Hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries. Following the incident, the victim’s mother filed a case on March 8 under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act. After a prompt investigation, police submitted the charge sheet on April 13. The court framed charges on April 23. To eliminate violence against women and children, it is imperative that such cases are tried within the stipulated time.
The judiciary remains the last bastion of
public trust—and it is this trust that fuels
the strength and credibility of the legal
system
Moreover, victims and their families must be guaranteed security, medical care, and adequate compensation throughout the legal process. The judiciary remains the last bastion of public trust—and it is this trust that fuels the strength and credibility of the legal system.
The verdict in this case reflects a growing confidence in our courts. The judiciary has demonstrated its capability of rising to the occasion, reinforcing its role as a pillar of justice in both higher and lower courts. Moving forward, we believe judges will stay attuned to evolving legal and technological challenges, while upholding the highest moral and ethical standards.
To maintain and strengthen public trust, judges and lawyers alike must continue their efforts to ensure that justice is served efficiently and transparently. It is also evident that the government’s objective is to root out corruption, mismanagement, and irregularities from the judicial system.
To that end, courts must accelerate case proceedings, adopt research-based reforms, and invest in necessary infrastructure. Reducing the backlog of pending cases—a source of suffering for litigants—should be a top priority.
The swift verdict in the Magura case reaffirms this confidence and demonstrates that the judiciary is capable of rising to the occasion. We believe the country’s legal system has achieved notable progress and is now playing a more active role in protecting citizens’ rights, both in the higher and lower courts. Courts must expedite trials of pending cases, improve trial processes through research-based reforms, and invest in necessary infrastructure. The longstanding backlog of cases is a significant burden on justice seekers, causing immense hardship and in many cases, financial loss.
According to various reports, there are only about 1,900 judges serving a population of nearly 180 million—an alarming mismatch that has contributed to the backlog of several hundred thousand cases.
Clearly, the number of judges must at least double, starting from lower courts and gradually extending to the top. The mediation process can also play a crucial role in easing this burden and should be more widely adopted.
