Shock, outrage allover: Magura rape victim passes away, laid to rest in hometown

The eight-year-old girl who was raped in Magura a week ago has passed away, triggering widespread condemnation, outrage and calls for justice. 

She breathed her last at 1pm yesterday at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka, according to a statement from the Bangladesh Army's official Facebook page.

The child had suffered seven cardiac arrests since Wednesday and was in critical condition. Three of these occurred yesterday, and while doctors managed to stabilise her after the first two, the third cardiac arrest was fatal. 

Despite receiving the best medical care and the dedicated efforts of specialists at CMH, her life could not be saved, the army stated. 

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus expressed deep shock at her death and called for a swift trial of the accused. Home Affairs Adviser Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury also expressed his sorrow, reports UNB.

Law Adviser Asif Nazrul said that the trial for the rape and subsequent death would begin within a week.

The girl was buried hours after her body was flown to Magura stadium by helicopter around 5:15pm.

Her namaz-e-janaza took place after Maghrib prayers at Magura Nomani Maidan around 7pm. People from various walks of life attended the ceremony, including Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar. 

The girl was later buried at Jaria village in Sreepur upazila, near her home.

Following the news of her death, enraged locals set fire to the house of Hitu Sheikh, the main accused in the rape case, in Nijnanduali village, Magura Sadar upazila, yesterday evening. 

Hitu Sheikh, the victim's sister's father-in-law, is accused of raping the child on 5 March, allegedly with the help of his son.

On 6 March, the child was taken to Magura's 250-bed hospital in an unconscious state. Later that day, she was transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). 

By March 7, she was placed on life support and moved to CMH on 8 March for advanced care.

A medical board comprising eight specialists, including surgeons, anaesthesiologists, and cardiologists, was formed to manage her treatment.

The rape has sparked nationwide protests, with university students, including those at Dhaka University, demanding the death penalty for the accused.

Police arrested four people -- victim's brother-in-law Sojib Sheikh, 20, his brother Ratul Sheikh, 25, and their parents Hitu Sheikh, 50, and Jabeda Begum, 40, -- in connection with the rape.

On 10 March midnight, a Magura court placed the main accused on a seven-day remand and three others on a five-day remand each.
Earlier on 9 March, the High Court ordered the trial to be completed within six months and for the investigation to be concluded within 30 days.

Trial to begin within a week

While speaking to reporters at the ministry yesterday, Asif Nazrul said, "A DNA report in this case will be prepared within five days," and assured that "the trial will be completed within the shortest possible time and those convicted will be punished." 

He said that there have been instances of verdicts being delivered in 7-8 days, adding, "We hope the court will be able to give a quick verdict in the case if it wants."

The legal adviser reaffirmed, "The government is determined to prosecute" and stressed that the government aims to create an example to ensure no one else suffers the same fate as the child. 

Asif Nazrul also mentioned that the Violence Against Women and Children Act will be amended to allow for the creation of special tribunals for swift trials of child rape and assault cases.

Earlier, on 9 March, the law advisor had announced that law enforcement must complete investigations of rape cases within 15 days and the trial within 90 days. 

He added, "The accused cannot be granted bail on the pretext of not completing the trial within 90 days," and stated that, "If there is any negligence on the part of the administration, specific provisions for punishment will be added to the law." 

Currently, the law mandates that the trial of rape cases be completed within 180 days.
 
Fakhrul demands exemplary punishment

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir expressed deep sorrow over the death of the child, demanding exemplary punishment for the perpetrators. 

In a condolence message issued by BNP media cell member Sayrul Kabir Khan yesterday, Fakhrul said, "An innocent child was subjected to the cruelty of a few monsters in Magura." 

He described the child's suffering, saying, "How much she struggled with the scars on her body in the hospital bed, leaving behind the illusion of this world, leaving us in shame and tears, is beyond the capacity of words to express." 

Fakhrul prayed for the peace of her soul and extended his sympathy to the grieving family.