Police detained three suspects in a case filed over allegations of rape and murder of a five-year-old girl in Mymensingh on Sunday.

The body of the child was recovered from the bank of the Kangsa River at Tangati village under Dhobaura upazila of Mymensingh and sent to Mymensingh Medical College Hospital for autopsy on Monday morning.

The three suspects have been detained for interrogation regarding the incident.

According to police, the girl left her home around the time of Asr prayers on Sunday afternoon and did not return. Family members searched for her across the area but found no trace.

Around 10pm, locals spotted her body near a bend of the Kangsa River, approximately 450 metres from her home. Relatives rushed to the spot and identified the body.

When family members began washing the body in preparation for burial, they discovered injuries on sensitive parts of the child's body.

Burial preparations were immediately halted and police were informed. Officers arrived at the scene around 12:30am, conducted an inquest and recovered the body.

Shafiqul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Dhobaura Police Station, said police primarily suspect the girl was raped before being killed and her body was dumped near the riverbank.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been called in to assist in identifying the perpetrator.

The CID is now actively working to identify the perpetrator and take necessary steps.

The victim's father said, “I never imagined anyone could do such a thing to my little girl. They have taken away my innocent daughter.”

No case had been lodged as of Monday afternoon, the OC confirmed.