Police arrested the main suspect for the alleged gang rape of a nine-year-old girl in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj on Monday night, after an angry mob captured him and handed him over to law enforcement after beating.

The accused is Afroz Mia, 35, a neighbour of the victim, said police.

According to police and local sources, the accused and an accomplice abducted a third grader on Sunday afternoon, blindfolding her with a towel before taking her to a nearby bamboo grove, where they raped and physically tortured her.

Hearing her screams, when locals rushed to the spot, the accused fled the area.

The victim was first taken to Nabiganj Upazila Health Complex and later shifted to Habiganj Modern Sadar Hospital for better treatment.

The victim also said to her family that Afroz was the main assailant.

On Monday night, the relatives of the victim spotted the suspect in Digombar Bazar in Bahubal upazila of the same district. They apprehended him and brought him to Barachar Bazar, where a mob started beating him.

On information, a team from Nabiganj Police Station rushed to the scene, brought the situation under control, and took the accused into custody.

Md Monayem Mia, officer-in-charge (OC) of Nabiganj Police Station, said police arrested the main accused. Efforts are underway to apprehend the other accused, who remains at large.

The victim’s father filed a case with Nabiganj Police Station on Tuesday.