Pabna, Sept 22 (V7N) — A man arrested in connection with the rape and murder of a 10-year-old girl in Pabna has allegedly provided investigators with details of the crime during remand, including a claim that the child was killed about 15 minutes after she was raped.

Police said the accused, Mostafa Pramanik, admitted during questioning that he raped and killed Kamrunnahar Koli, a fourth-grade student from Kulunia village in Dogachhi union of Pabna Sadar upazila. He also allegedly told investigators that another accused, Yasin Ali, was involved in the rape and killing.

Yasin, however, has denied involvement in either the rape or the murder, according to police. He allegedly told investigators that Mostafa sought his assistance after the killing and that he only helped him afterward.

Police said the accounts of the two accused differ significantly and that forensic examination will be crucial in determining whether one or both men were involved in the sexual assault.

Girl disappeared after evening prayers

Koli, a student of Al-Falah Academy, went missing after evening on September 9. Her body was recovered seven days later, on the morning of September 16, from a water-filled ditch near her home. The body had reportedly been placed inside a sack.

Police subsequently arrested Mostafa Pramanik and his tenant, Yasin Ali, in connection with the case.

Detective Branch Sub-Inspector Benu Roy, the investigation officer, said investigators identified the two suspects with the help of technology on the day the body was recovered.

According to Roy, investigators became suspicious of Mostafa's behavior when they went to detain him. A local elected representative was initially asked to check on him, and when the representative held one of Mostafa's hands, he reportedly began trembling. Police then arrived and detained him.

Police say accused remained close to victim's family

Investigators said Mostafa continued to interact with Koli's family for several days after the alleged killing.

According to police, he maintained contact with the girl's father and made phone calls at night to inquire about the search for Koli. He also allegedly participated in protests and human chains demanding that the missing child be found and those responsible be brought to justice.

Police said he was also present near journalists and investigators when Koli's body was recovered.

Police reconstruct events before the killing

According to the investigation, Koli went to Mostafa's grocery shop with her brother at around 9:45 a.m. on September 9 to buy snacks.

Police allege that Mostafa used his mobile phone to take several inappropriate photographs of the child. Investigators said they later recovered the photographs while examining the phone.

Later that evening, Koli was reportedly sitting on a bench outside the shop with the son of a local resident, Saheb Ali. Saheb's wife, Khushi Khatun, later took her son home. Police said she saw Mostafa performing Maghrib prayers at the time, while Koli remained seated outside the shop.

Investigators allege that after the prayer, Mostafa took Koli into a room behind the grocery shop and sexually assaulted her. Police said he then suffocated the child with a pillow and allegedly killed her about 15 minutes after the assault.

These details are based on the accused's alleged statement during police questioning and remain subject to further investigation and forensic verification.

Other digital evidence under examination

Investigators said they also found a number of photographs of other young girls in inappropriate poses on Mostafa's mobile phone.

Police said the discovery is being examined as part of the investigation into whether there were previous incidents or other offences connected to the accused. Any such allegations would require separate investigation and verification.

Forensic tests to determine involvement

Investigation officer Benu Roy said the investigation is nearly complete, with several digital forensic and other laboratory reports still pending.

All available evidence related to the victim was sent to the Criminal Investigation Department's forensic facility in Rajshahi on Monday.

Roy said forensic analysis would help determine whether one or both accused were involved in the alleged sexual assault. The forensic evidence of the two accused will also be examined.

According to the investigation officer, Mostafa claims that both men took part in the rape, while Yasin denies participating in either the rape or the killing and says he only assisted Mostafa after the murder.

Roy said forensic examination could help clarify the conflicting accounts. He added that if forensic evidence establishes the involvement of two individuals, investigators would be able to submit the final report to the court after completing the remaining formalities.

Body allegedly concealed after killing

Police had earlier said Koli was lured to a room behind Mostafa's grocery shop, where she was allegedly raped and suffocated.

Investigators allege that the body was then placed inside a sack in an attempt to conceal it. Police said the accused later failed to remove the body from the area after its odor became noticeable and they were reportedly chased by dogs.

The following day, local residents noticed a foul smell and informed police. Officers subsequently recovered the body.

Police said a post-mortem examination and medical examination at Pabna General Hospital provided evidence consistent with sexual assault. Further forensic analysis is being conducted as part of the investigation.

Public anger and calls for speedy trial

The case has triggered strong public anger in Pabna.

For the past three days, groups of angry residents have reportedly vandalized and looted Mostafa's house, leaving around 80 percent of the property damaged, according to local accounts.

On Sunday afternoon, relatives of the victim and members of the public surrounded the Pabna court and the deputy commissioner's office, demanding that the investigation report be submitted within seven days.

The protesters warned of a larger movement if there was any delay in the legal proceedings.

Police had earlier sought five days' remand for both accused after they were shown arrested in the rape and murder case. The court granted the remand, but investigators said Mostafa allegedly disclosed key information before the full remand period had elapsed.

Investigators said the remaining forensic and digital evidence will be important in establishing the precise circumstances of the crime and the individual roles, if any, of the two accused.

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