Berhampur, May 15: Bhagyalata Das, 16, alias Sukumari, was found dead at Nua Bauri Sahi in Haldiapadar in Golanthara police station limits on the city outskirts early this morning.

“Bhagyalata came to her mausi (maternal aunt) Shantilata Das’s house at Haldiapadar when the incident occurred. We found the body in the backyard of Shantilata’s house with a sari tied to her neck. We have sent the body for post-mortem,” said sub-divisional police officer Harihar Pani.

“I suspect it to be a case of rape and murder,” he said.

Shantilata said Bhagyalata had come to her house yesterday and slept with her daughter inside the house.

“As it was too hot inside the house, I bolted the door from outside and slept outside. At 3am, cold breeze started blowing, and apprehending rain I went inside. But, I could not find Bhagyalata. The ceiling fan was on, and my daughter was sleeping in the room alone. The back door of the house was open,” she said.

“In the morning, when I went to the backyard to search for her, I found her body to my utter shock,” said Shantilata.

Nira Das, the deceased’s father, lodged a complaint with Golanthara police. “The family suspects their neighbour, Ganesh Das,” said Pani.