Police have arrested a suspect in connection with the murder of a young woman whose body was found stuffed inside a sack and dumped in a river in Damak, Jhapa.

The Jhapa District Police Office confirmed on Thursday night that the accused had been taken into custody.

The body of a young woman was discovered on Jestha 16 beneath a bridge over the Ratuwamai River in Damak Municipality-10. The body had been wrapped in a white sack and abandoned under the bridge.

Police later identified the victim as 21-year-old Roma (Rama) Tiwari of Basant Tole, Damak-8. Her father, Narayan Tiwari, formally identified the body, according to police.

Following the discovery, investigation teams from the Koshi Province Police Office in Dharan and the Jhapa District Police Office launched a joint probe that eventually led to the suspect.

According to a police statement, investigators identified the accused through detailed surveillance of the crime scene, technical analysis and a review of CCTV footage from the surrounding area.

Police identified the suspect as 34-year-old Rakesh Kumar Pandit of Araria district in Bihar, India. Authorities said Pandit had been living in rented accommodation in Damak Municipality-5 and worked as a tiles mason.

He was arrested from his room at around 11 pm on Thursday.

During preliminary questioning, Pandit allegedly confessed to the killing. Police said he told investigators that an argument stemming from a financial dispute escalated and led to the murder.

Police have also recovered the T-shirt, trousers and shoes the suspect was wearing when he met the victim, as well as the motorcycle allegedly used to transport her.

Further investigation into the case is ongoing.