Salman Shah’s Death Case: Court Orders Murder Case Filing After 29 Years
In a significant development, a Dhaka court has ordered the filing of a murder case in connection with the death of iconic Bangladeshi actor Salman Shah, nearly three decades after the incident. The directive, issued by Dhaka’s Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Jannatul Ferdous Ibne Haque on Monday, October 25, 2025, mandates Ramna Police Station to investigate the case as a murder.
Background of the Case
Salman Shah, a beloved figure in Bangladeshi cinema, was found dead on September 6, 1996, in a rented apartment in Dhaka’s New Eskaton Garden area. Initially, his death was registered as an unnatural death (UD) case by his father, Kamar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, at Ramna Police Station. The police, reportedly without the family’s full knowledge, filed the case using Kamar Uddin’s signature. However, suspicions of foul play have lingered since, with the actor’s family and fans questioning the official narrative of suicide.
In 1997, a significant breakthrough came when Rizvi Ahmed, arrested in a separate case, confessed in court to being involved in Salman Shah’s murder, claiming it was staged to look like a suicide. Following this, Salman’s father filed a murder case naming several individuals as accused. Despite this, subsequent investigations by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in 1997 and a judicial inquiry in 2014 labeled the death as a suicide or unnatural death, dismissing murder claims.
Recent Court Ruling
The latest court order stems from a revision petition filed by Salman Shah’s mother, Neela Chowdhury, in 2021, challenging the Police Bureau of Investigation’s (PBI) final report. The PBI’s 600-page report, submitted on February 25, 2021, by Inspector Sirajul Islam, concluded that Salman Shah had died by suicide, citing five reasons for the act. Dissatisfied with the PBI’s investigation, Neela Chowdhury sought a reinvestigation, alleging bias and lack of transparency.
Her lawyer, Faruk Ahmed, confirmed to Prothom Alo that the court accepted Neela Chowdhury’s revision petition and ordered a murder case to be filed. The court’s directive marks a pivotal moment, as it officially recognizes the possibility of foul play in the actor’s death and names the previously accused individuals as suspects in the murder case.
Family’s Reaction
Salman Shah’s uncle, film director Alamgir Kumkum, expressed relief at the court’s decision, stating to Prothom Alo, “We are happy with this order to file a murder case. Salman did not commit suicide; he was murdered. We demand justice for the killers.” The family has consistently maintained that Salman’s death was a homicide, rejecting the suicide narrative propagated by earlier investigations.
Timeline of Events
September 6, 1996: Salman Shah’s body is found hanging from a ceiling fan in his apartment. His wife, Samira Haque, informs the police, who declare him dead at Dhaka Medical College Hospital. An unnatural death case is filed.
November 3, 1997: CID submits a report labeling the death as a suicide. Salman’s father files a revision petition in the Dhaka Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court.
May 19, 2003: The case is sent for judicial inquiry.
August 3, 2014: The judicial inquiry report upholds the unnatural death conclusion.
April 19, 2015: Neela Chowdhury files another revision petition.
August 21, 2016: The court orders PBI to reinvestigate.
February 25, 2021: PBI submits a report claiming suicide, which Neela Chowdhury challenges.
October 25, 2025: Court orders a murder case to be filed, directing Ramna Police Station to investigate.
Significance of the Ruling
Salman Shah, at the peak of his popularity in 1996, was a cultural icon whose untimely death at the age of 24 shocked the nation. His films continue to resonate with audiences, and the mystery surrounding his death has fueled public interest for decades. The court’s decision to treat the case as a murder investigation rekindles hope for justice among his family and fans, who have long demanded a thorough probe.
The case now moves to Ramna Police Station for a fresh investigation, with the accused individuals facing scrutiny as murder suspects. This ruling not only reopens a high-profile case but also underscores the persistence of Salman Shah’s family in seeking truth and accountability.
As the investigation progresses, the nation awaits answers to a 29-year-old question: Was Salman Shah’s death a tragic suicide, or was it a meticulously planned murder? The coming months may finally shed light on one of Bangladesh’s most enduring mysteries.
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