Court Approves Exhumation of Salman Shah’s Remains for Third Time in Renewed Death Investigation

A Dhaka court has authorised the exhumation of the remains of celebrated Bangladeshi film actor Salman Shah as part of a renewed effort to uncover the circumstances surrounding his controversial death in 1996.

The order was issued by Metropolitan Magistrate Jewel Rana following a petition submitted by the investigating officer of the case. The court approved the request on 24 May, allowing authorities to exhume the actor’s remains under the supervision of an executive magistrate. The order also permits the preparation of a new inquest report and the conducting of another post-mortem examination.

According to court documents, the application was filed on 20 May by Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Inspector Ziaul Morshed, who is currently overseeing the investigation. The move marks the third time that Salman Shah’s remains will be exhumed since his death nearly 30 years ago.

Salman Shah, widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in Bangladesh’s film industry, was found dead in his apartment in Dhaka’s Eskaton area on 6 September 1996. His sudden death at the age of 25 shocked the nation and remains one of the country’s most debated celebrity cases.

Immediately following the incident, the actor’s father, Kamaruddin Ahmed Chowdhury, filed an unnatural death case. However, the family later alleged that Salman Shah had been murdered and formally sought to convert the case into a murder investigation in July 1997.
 

Over the years, multiple investigations conducted by different agencies concluded that the actor had died by suicide. Those findings consistently rejected allegations of homicide. Despite these conclusions, members of Salman Shah’s family have repeatedly challenged the investigation reports and continued to demand a fresh inquiry into the circumstances of his death.
 

The latest court order is expected to reopen public discussion surrounding the long-running case and may provide investigators with another opportunity to review forensic evidence using modern examination techniques.

Legal experts say the fresh examination could help clarify lingering questions that have persisted for decades, although the passage of time may present significant challenges for investigators.
 

Salman Shah remains one of Bangladesh’s most beloved film icons, with a career that transformed the country’s commercial film industry during the 1990s. His death continues to attract widespread public interest, and the latest development is likely to be closely followed by fans, legal observers and members of the entertainment industry.
 

Authorities have not yet announced a date for the exhumation process, but officials said necessary preparations will be made in accordance with the court’s directive.