The body of a six-year-old girl was exhumed from a grave in Cumilla on Thursday, 17 days after her mysterious death, following a court order.

The body of Ayesha Akter was exhumed from Chunarchar graveyard of Homna Upazila around noon for an autopsy to determine the actual cause of her death. It was later sent to the morgue of Cumilla Medical College Hospital.

Ayesha was the daughter of physically challenged Md Zakir Hossain of South Chunarchar village.

According to police and locals, Ayesha’s body was recovered naked from bushes behind a roadside shop in the village on August 17. She was taken to Homna Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared her dead.

Although her death was initially attributed to drowning, the recovery site, her lack of clothes and injury marks on her body raised suspicions among locals.

On August 25, Ayesha’s father filed a written complaint with Homna Police Station, alleging that his daughter might have been sexually assaulted and murdered.

Homna Police Station Officer-in-Charge Thomas Barua said the incident was being investigated with utmost importance.

“The body was exhumed following a court order to determine the exact cause of death. The autopsy report will clarify whether it was a murder or an accident. If evidence of a crime is found, strict legal action will be taken against those responsible,” he said.

Executive Magistrate and Assistant Commissioner (Land) Ahammed Mofasser was present during the exhumation. He said the body was exhumed in accordance with the court’s order.

The exact cause of Ayesha’s death cannot be determined until the autopsy report and police investigation are completed.