A 45-year-old man died in Jhenaidah on Thursday after being beaten by locals over allegation of attempting to rape a seven-year-old girl.

The incident took place around 2:30pm in the Jhinukmala Housing Area under Paglakanai union of Sadar upazila, the deceased was identified as Billal Hossain, Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Asaduzzaman said.

He had rented a room in the area about a week ago and worked as a rickshaw-puller, the OC added.

The OC also said preparations were underway to conduct an inquest and send the body for an autopsy.

Eyewitnesses said residents of the housing area beat up Billal after accusing him of attempting to rape the seven-year-old daughter of a local resident by luring her with food. Billal was seriously injured.

Earlier in the afternoon, the child's mother filed a case with the police station accusing Billal of sexually assaulting her daughter. Based on the case, police formally arrested him.

Police took him into custody from the scene and admitted him to Jhenaidah 250-Bed General Hospital, where he died while undergoing treatment.

Dr Uma Islam, a physician at the emergency department of the hospital, said Billal died at around 6:15pm while undergoing treatment.

"He was brought to the hospital in an almost unconscious state," she said.

The doctor said he may have died from internal bleeding, although the exact cause of death would only be known after the autopsy report is received.