Police yesterday arrested a woman in connection with the killing of her five-year-old girl daughter-in-law whose body was recovered from a water tank at a house in Kuril Mirdhabari area in Bhatara, Dhaka.

The child, identified as Arifa, lived with her parents in a rented house in the area, said Umaul Haque, officer-in-charge of Bhatara Police Station.

Police arrested Arifa's sister-in-law, Khadija Akter, on allegations of killing the minor girl, the OC said.

“Khadija confessed during interrogation that she had strangled the child and later hid the body in the building’s water tank,” he added.

Quoting family members, the OC said Arifa lived with her parents, while her elder brother Hasan and his wife Khadija lived in a separate room in the same house. Arifa’s father, Md Rajib, is a day labourer.

“Arifa often asked her brother to buy her food items, which he usually did. On Tuesday, Hasan brought toys for his sister, which led to an argument with his wife. Following a dispute between the couple, Khadija allegedly killed the child in her room yesterday morning and later concealed the body,” he added.

When Arifa could not be found despite a search, family members later checked the water tank and discovered her body. They informed police through the national emergency helpline 999.

The OC said legal proceedings were under way in this regard.