Adita Murder Verdict Deferred

The announcement of the judgment in the widely discussed murder case of schoolgirl Tasnia Hossain Adita (14) in Noakhali has been postponed, with the court setting a new date of 29 April.

On Wednesday (15 April) at around 11 a.m., Judge Mohammad Khorshedul Alam Shikdar of the Noakhali Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal-1 issued the revised schedule during court proceedings. The postponement was formally confirmed by the tribunal’s Public Prosecutor (PP), Md Selim Shahi.

According to the prosecution, although the verdict date had previously been fixed for Wednesday, the court decided to reschedule it while sitting in session. No specific procedural reason was publicly detailed at the time of the adjournment, but the case remains at the final stage following completion of witness testimonies and arguments from both sides.

Background of the Case

Adita, a 14-year-old student, was the daughter of the late Riaz Hossain Sarkar and Rajia Sultana, a schoolteacher employed at a private educational institution in Begumganj upazila. The accused, Abdul Rahim Roni (32), is the son of Khalil Miah from the Lakshminarayanpur area of Noakhali municipality.

The prosecution narrative states that Adita’s brutal killing took place on 22 September 2022 in a residence known as “Jahan Manjil” in the Lakshminarayanpur area. Her blood-stained body was recovered by police in the afternoon of the same day. Investigators reported that her throat and limbs bore severe injuries, causing widespread shock and outrage in the locality.

Roni, a former private tutor of the victim, was arrested shortly after the incident. During interrogation, police claimed he confessed to the killing and later gave a statement under Section 164 before a magistrate. Authorities also recovered a knife and other incriminating materials based on his disclosure.

Key Case Summary

Family members allege that the accused became enraged after Adita stopped taking lessons from him and began studying elsewhere. They further claim that he attempted to assault her on the day of the incident when her mother was away, and subsequently murdered her in an effort to conceal the crime.

Adita’s mother, Rajia Sultana, has repeatedly demanded the highest punishment for the accused, stating that justice must be ensured so that no similar crime is repeated.

The case triggered strong public reaction across Noakhali and surrounding areas, with students, residents, and social organisations staging protests, human chains, road blockades, and demonstrations demanding swift justice. With the verdict now postponed, anticipation remains high as the community awaits the court’s final decision.