Court Correspondent :
The body exhumed from a grave in Savar has been conclusively identified as that of Abul Harris Chowdhury, a prominent BNP leader, through DNA testing. The DNA test matched the genetic profile of Chowdhury’s family, allowing them to now bury him at a location of their choice.
A report confirming the identification was submitted to a High Court bench comprising Justice Fahmida Quader and Justice Mubina Asafa on Wednesday (4 December). Following the report, the court permitted the family to conduct the burial as they see fit.
The matter arose after Harris Chowdhury’s daughter, Barrister Samira Tanzin, filed a writ petition requesting the exhumation of a body buried under the name Mahmudur Rahman at the Jamia Khatamun Nabiyeen Madrasa graveyard in Savar. On 5 September, the High Court ordered the exhumation to ascertain the body’s identity through DNA testing.
Barrister Mahdin Chowdhury represented the petitioner during the hearing.Reports in 2021 had alleged that Harris Chowdhury, who passed away while evading an Interpol red notice, was buried secretly under an assumed name in Savar’s Jalalabad area.
These claims led to legal proceedings aimed at confirming the identity of the deceased and addressing the family’s subsequent demands.
The court also issued a rule questioning the necessity of the Interpol red notice against Chowdhury, the reason for denying him burial in his home district with due honours as a freedom fighter, and whether his last wishes were respected.
The secretaries of the Ministries of Home and Local Government, the Registrar General, the CID Director, the Superintendent of Police for Dhaka, and the Officer-in-Charge of Savar Model Police Station were named as respondents in the writ.
With the confirmation now in hand, the family can proceed with the reburial, finally bringing closure to a controversial chapter surrounding Harris Chowdhury’s demise and burial.
