Bangladesh's High Court has launched an investigation into the death of a woman who killed herself after being reprimanded by a village court over allegations of an extramarital affair.

Ferdousi Akhter jumped in front of a train with her four children on Sunday after a village court in Habiganj district banished her from the community for allegedly having an affair.

She and two of the children died while two others were seriously injured.

The High Court on Tuesday said it would summon the local police chief, village officials and eight others to appear before the court next week to give details of the incident.

Human rights groups have urged Bangladesh to take action against local councils, saying they often abuse their authority.