The prime accused in a case filed over the murder of seven-year-old girl Nandini Kanta Roy in Aditmari upazila of Lalmonirhat district reportedly confessed to this crime before a court on Wednesday.

Bidhan Chandra Roy, 22, made a confessional statement before the court of Senior Judicial Magistrate Md Alauddin in the afternoon, said Superintendent of Police of the district Md Ashduszaman.

After recording his statement, the court sent the accused to jail. His father Ranjit Chadra Roy was also sent to jail.

On Tuesday, police recovered the body of Nandini Roy from a maize field at Folimari village under Bhelabari union, a day after she went missing.

The SP said the accused confessed to committing the murder over a family dispute.

Although the accused denied sexually assaulting the child, the matter will be clarified after the post-mortem report and further investigation, he said.

Meanwhile, victim’s mother Sabitri Rani claimed that Bidhan killed her daughter reportedly over a gold earring weighing just one and a half tolas.

"My daughter called him uncle. He even joined us in searching for her on the first day after she went missing. I want justice and the highest punishment for those who took away my child,” she said.

Nandini's father Nalini Kanta Roy also demanded capital punishment for the accused, saying he could not understand why his daughter was targeted.

Meanwhile, Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu said the trial of the murder case will be completed quickly.

He made the comments after visiting the victim’s family in the afternoon.

The minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed for standing by Nandini’s family and ensuring all necessary assistance.

“In line with the Prime Minister’s directive, we have come here along with three Members of Parliament.”

Police arrested Bidhan Chandra Roy and his father from the spot in connection with the incident and the victim’s father filed a case over the incident.

A clash broke out between police and some agitated villagers when police were taking the two suspects to the police station from the scene, leaving 30 people, including the SP and Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Aditmari Police Station, injured.

During the violence, seven vehicles, including those used by the deputy commissioner (DC) and SL, were also vandalised.

Police and the district administration have formed separate probe committees to look into the incident.