Timeline: Magura child Asiya rape-murder case verdict in 20 days

A Magura court has sentenced a man to death and acquitted three others in the much-talked-about verdict in the sensational rape and murder case of eight-year-old Asiya.

This trial, which completed in 20 days since the starting of the testimonies, is the fastest among recorded trials in a rape and murder case in the history of Bangladesh. 

Here's a timeline of everything that happened over the course of the past 72 days since the gruesome incident that shook the nation. 

1 March: The child visits her sister's house during her Ramadan vacation. 

5 March: The rape incident occurs in the Shalikh area of Magura after midnight. The minor girl was severely injured.

6 March: Following the incident, the critically injured child was first taken to the Magura Sadar Hospital for initial treatment. Later that day, she was transferred to Faridpur Medical College Hospital and then to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). 

7-8 March: The child was placed on life support at DMCH on 7 March. She was moved to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on 8 March for advanced care. A medical board was formed. 

Also on 8 March, the victim's mother filed a case with the Magura Sadar Police Station under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, specifically mentioning rape and causing injury through rape.

9 March: The High Court ordered the trial to be completed within six months and for the investigation to be concluded within 30 days. Protests continue across the country seeking justice for the rape. 

10 March: A Magura court placed the main accused on a seven-day remand and three others on a five-day remand each. The trial takes place at night 

13 March: The child succumbed to her injuries while undergoing treatment at CMH. 

14 March: A murder case was filed with the Magura Model Police Station following the child's death.

13 April: The investigation officer submitted the chargesheet to the court, formally accusing the identified individuals.

20 April: The court in Magura accepted the chargesheet, moving the case to the trial stage. A hearing takes place, and the court sets 23 April for the framing of charges. 

23 April: The court frames charges against the accused individuals. 

27 April: The witness testimonies in the case began in the designated court in Magura. This marks the formal commencement of the trial proceedings.

8 May: Testimonies of 29 witnesses are recorded by the District Women and Child Repression Prevention Tribunal of Magura.

13 May: Both the prosecution and the defence give closing arguments in court. The court sets 17 May as the date to deliver the verdict.

17 May: The court delivers its verdict. The primary accused, Hitu Sheikh, is sentenced to death, while his wife and two sons are acquitted.