, Aug. 25 -- The High Court on Tuesday deferred till August 31 the hearing on the death reference and appeal in the case filed over the rape and murder of eight-year-old Asiya in Magura.

The HC bench of Justice Bhishmadev Chakrabortty and Justice KM Rasheduzzaman Raja passed the order following a time petition filed by the state.

The HC is scheduled to deliver its judgment in the case on Tuesday.

Advocate Hafizur Rahman Khan stood for the accused while the deputy attorney general Imam Hossain Tarek represented the state.

A Magura court on May 17, 2025, sentenced Hitu Sheikh, 50, the prime accused in the case and father-in-law of Asiya's elder sister, to death, while acquitted his wife Jabeda Begum, 40, and two sons - Sajib Sheikh, 20,...