Schoolgirl Raped and Murdered, 3 Arrested After Body Found in Padma River

Riya (15), a 9th-grade student, was allegedly raped and strangled to death by her cousin, Naim, following an altercation at his home on Tuesday night. Naim and his accomplices then used a private car to transport her body, dumping it in a sack into the Padma River in Barara, Pabna Sadar Upazila.

Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Rezinur Rahman confirmed the details during a press briefing on Wednesday (June 3) afternoon, officially solving the case just hours after the body was discovered.

According to police, investigative units were deployed immediately after locals found the unidentified body on Wednesday morning. Farmers heading to work in the Padma Char area spotted a sack floating near a moored boat. Upon opening it, they discovered the teenager's body with its hands tied and head wrapped in a shopping bag.

Using CCTV footage and digital tracking, police quickly identified and arrested three suspects: the primary accused Naim (son of the late Kasem Uddin), Yasin Sheikh, and Tuhin Pramanik. The private car used in the crime has also been seized.

Riya was a student at Maulana Kasim Uddin High School and a resident of the East Raghpur area. The victim's family is currently preparing a written complaint, and a formal case will be registered once it is filed. Police stated that further details will be disclosed as the investigation continues.