Court Reporter

A Dhaka court has ordered the exhumation of the remains of iconic film actor Salman Shah to conduct a fresh inquest and autopsy, nearly 28 years after his mysterious death.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana issued the order on May 24 following an application by the investigation officer.

The move comes after CID Police Inspector Ziaul Morshed, the officer investigating the case, filed an application on May 20 seeking permission to exhume the body.

The goal is to determine the actual cause of death in the presence of an executive magistrate. Inspector Morshed confirmed the court’s approval on Wednesday, noting that the exhumation and autopsy will take place once preliminary formalities are completed.

The legal action follows a murder case filed on October 21 last year by the actor’s uncle, Mohammad Alamgir, on behalf of Salman’s mother, Nilufar Zaman Chowdhury Nila.

The case names several high-profile individuals, including Salman Shah’s wife Samira Huq, film producer Aziz Mohammad Bhai, actor Don, and several others, under Section 302/34 of the Penal Code.

Salman Shah was found dead in his New Iskaton residence on September 6, 1996. While initial reports suggested suicide, his family has long alleged he was murdered.

According to the case statement, Salman’s mother and relatives visited his apartment that morning but were told he was sleeping.

They were later informed of an emergency and returned to find him lying on a bed. He was declared dead upon arrival at Dhaka Medical College Hospital.

An unnatural death case was filed at the time, but the new investigation aims to uncover potential evidence of foul play that has remained unresolved for decades.