Bangladesh to dig up grave of actor Salman Shah 30 years after death

A Dhaka court has allowed the exhumation of the remains of film star Chowdhury Mohammad Shahriar Emon, popularly known as Salman Shah, in the presence of an executive magistrate to “unravel the mystery of his murder”.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana passed the order on May 24 following a petition by the investigating officer.

The development comes nearly 30 years after Salman’s death.

"Following the investigating officer's request, the magistrate ordered the exhumation, preparation of an inquest and a post-mortem report in the presence of an executive magistrate," Prosecution Police Sub-Inspector Shah Alam told bdnews24.com.

Investigating officer and Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector Ziaul Morshed moved the petition on May 20, saying a murder case was filed with Ramna Police on a court order 29 years after the death.

Salman’s uncle Mohammad Alamgir Kumkum on behalf of his mother Neela Chowdhury accused 11 people, including the actor’s former wife Samira Haque.

The case alleges that the named and unidentified absconding individuals deliberately and premeditatedly murdered Salman.

Salman was found dead in his Eskaton flat in Dhaka on Sept 6, 1996, at the height of his fame in Bangladesh’s film industry.

Following his death, Salman’s father Kamaruddin initially filed an unnatural death case. But on Jul 24, 1997, he appealed to turn it into a murder case, alleging that his son had been killed.

The court then directed the CID to probe the murder allegations alongside the unnatural death case.

On Nov 3, 1997, the CID submitted its final report, concluding that Salman Shah had committed suicide.

Born on Sept 19, 1971 in Sylhet’s Dariapara, Salman Shah’s dazzling four-year career in the early 1990s made him one of Bangladesh’s most beloved screen icons before his untimely death in 1996.