Gaighata, Oct 25: Tension prevailed in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district on Sunday after the body of a 17-year-old girl, suspected to have been raped and murdered, was recovered near a relative's house in the morning, IANS reported. Gaighata Police Station has started an investigation and detained one of her relatives as a suspect, the report said.

Source: IANS via hi INDiA

According to the family, the girl went out with family members and friends on Saturday night to attend a musical programme near her house, which continued till late at night. Family members said that around midnight she received a call on her mobile phone, after which she left the venue and did not return. After the programme ended, the family searched for her but could not trace her. On Sunday morning, her body was recovered from behind her relative's residence.

Investigating officers suspect, from the condition in which the body was recovered, that this is a case of rape and murder. However, a district police officer said the reason for her death and whether she was raped could be ascertained only after the autopsy report is available. The body has been sent for a post-mortem examination, the report said.

Police suspect that more than one person might be involved in the incident, even as the detained relative is being questioned, IANS reported. Local reports said residents protested at the scene and police deployed personnel in the area as the investigation continued. Awaaz Punjab is not naming the girl, who was a minor, or printing any identifying details.