CID's forensic team has collected DNA samples to confirm whether the body buried under the name of Mahmudur Rahman in 2021 in Savar of Dhaka district is that of BNP leader Haris Chowdhury. Besides, the body has been exhumed.
On Wednesday (October 16) around 9 am, the work of exhuming the body from the graveyard inside Jamia Khatamunnabiyeen Madrasah in Kamalapur area of Birulia Union of Savar Upazila started. Sample collection and exhumation work was completed around 2 pm.
On the surface, it can be seen that digging is being done in a part of the madrasa's graveyard. Police and public administration officials, family members of Harish Chowdhury and madrasa teachers are present there. The body was removed from the grave around 12:30 pm. Later, the CID collected the samples for DNA testing of the body. And the body was sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for preservation.
In view of a writ of Haris Chowdhury's daughter Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, members of the Criminal Investigation division (CID) of the police exhumed the body on the orders of the High Court. At that time Samira Tanjin and related officials of the administration were present.
Haris Chowdhury's daughter Samira Tanzin Chowdhury, who was present at the spot when the body was exhumed, said, "Even after three years, my father's death has not been resolved." He was a national leader, a freedom fighter. He should be given the respect he deserves. 15 years of character defamation, false case has been given against him. No child would want their father's death to be a mystery. Now we want him to be respected. May he be given due respect. He worked for the country, fought the liberation war. I want his respect and recognition back.
Maulana Ashiqur Rahman Kashemi conducted the Janaza of Harish Chowdhury. He said that Mahmudur Rahman was buried here on September 3, 2021. Hafez and madrasa students participated there. We bury dead bodies during covid in our own system. I led the funeral. Since then till now we know him as Mahmudur Rahman. But we, like his family, want his true identity to come out. Let the countrymen know his identity, we also know.
Birulia Union Ward No. 4 UP Member and Union BNP Former Member Secretary Monirul Haque said that the body that was exhumed today was buried in the name of Mahmudur Rahman. It is actually the dead body of Haris Chowdhury. His daughter arrived today, she was also at the funeral. His DNA will be tested to be surer. We also want the body to be identified as Haris Chowdhury. He was a freedom fighter, his body could not be buried in his own area. Now let him be properly buried.
Savar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate SM Russell Islam said that the body of Mahmudur Rahman (Haris Chowdhury) has been exhumed from the grave as per the instructions of the High Court in view of the writ petition of Haris Chowdhury's daughter. Haris Chowdhury's body was exhumed from the grave identified by his daughter from 9 am today. The forensic department has collected evidence for DNA identification of the body. DNA test will be done accordingly. If it is identified from the DNA, it is the body of Haris Chowdhury, then action will be taken as per the further instructions of the High Court. After collecting the evidence, the body has been sent to Dhaka Medical College Hospital morgue for preservation.