Outraged Mob Vandalizes House of Accused in Brutal Rape and Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl in Magura

Magura, March 14 – An enraged mob vandalized and set fire to the house of Hitu Sheikh, the prime accused in the brutal rape and subsequent death of an 8-year-old girl in Magura. Locals and protesters from across the district gathered outside his home, expressing their fury over the horrific crime.

Violent Protests and Arson

• On Friday (March 14), a crowd stormed Hitu Sheikh’s house in Niznanduali area of Magura town, pelting stones, tearing down walls, and hurling abuses.

• Around 11 AM, locals chopped down 12 fruit-bearing trees, including a mango tree, in the courtyard of the accused’s house.

• The night before (March 13), after the victim’s first funeral prayer, protesters set fire to the house. Firefighters were unable to douse the flames as angry demonstrators blocked their access.

Road Blockades and Mass Protests

• Several political and student organizations, including Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal and Beshommyobirodhi Chhatra Andolon, held protes t marches demanding death penalty for the rapists.

• Demonstrators blocked the Dhaka-Khulna highway at Vayana intersection, halting traffic between Dhaka-Magura, Jashore-Magura, and Jhenaidah-Magura routes, causing severe gridlock.

• Law enforcement later brought the situation under control by 9:30 PM.

Police Response

• Magura Sadar Police Station OC Md. Ayub Ali stated that officers attempted multiple times to reach the arson site but were blocked by protesters.

• Authorities are monitoring the situation to prevent harm to innocent villagers.

Background of the Case

• The 8-year-old victim was visiting her sister’s house in Magura when she was raped by her sister’s father-in-law (Hitu Sheikh) on March 5.

• Despite severe injuries, the family locked her inside a room instead of seeking medical help.

• The crime came to light on March 6 when a neighbor found the girl unconscious. She was rushed to Magura Sadar Hospital, where doctors confirmed sexual assault.

• Initially, the sister’s mother-in-law falsely claimed the child was "possessed by a jinn" before fleeing the hospital.

• The girl was later shifted to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). After two days on life support, she was moved to Combined Military Hospital (CMH), where she died on March 13.

Public Outrage and Demand for Justice

The horrific incident has sparked nationwide anger, with calls for swift execution of the perpetrators. Protests continue as citizens demand stronger laws against child abuse and rape