The body of Rafi, a class four student at Khulna Zilla School, was recovered from the Rupsa River on Tuesday, four days after he went missing.
Rafi, son of Md Rafiq Sheikh of Dr Altaf Ali Lane in the Rupsa Stand Road area, left home on Friday afternoon to offer Asr prayers and never returned.
Rupsa River Police Officer-in-Charge, Inspector Abul Khayer Sheikh, said the boy had fallen into the river. Local residents spotted a floating body near the railway bridge under Labanchara Police Station around 7am and alerted the family. It was later recovered from the Rupsa ferry ghat at about 8:30am.
Rafi’s maternal uncle, Al Amin, said: “After extensive searching since Friday, his body was finally found Tuesday morning. The matter has been reported to the river police.”
Rafiq Sheikh broke down upon seeing his son’s body, while others present tried to console him. Local resident Rezaul Sheikh recalled that announcements were made over loudspeakers after Rafi did not return following Isha prayers, and the river route up to Batiaghata was searched.
Inspector Abul Khayer Sheikh added that, at the family’s request, the body was handed over without an autopsy, the burial has been completed, and a general diary has been filed.