Ex-UP Chair Selim, son’s bodies exhumed

Bodies of former Laxmipur Model Union Parishad Chairman Selim Khan and his son Shanto Khan were exhumed on Wednesday from their graves in Sadar upazila of Chandpur district for autopsies following a court order.

Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Foyez Ahmed on Wednesday said the exhumation was completed following the court order and approval from the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for appointing an executive magistrate.

Selim’s body was exhumed first, followed by that of his son Shanto, in the presence of Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Prottoy Hasem and the investigating officer of a case filed over their deaths, Sub-inspector Chand Mia.

Selim was the chairman of Laxmipur Model Union Parishad and president of the union unit of Awami League, which now faces a ban on its activities.

He was also involved in newspaper publishing and owned film production and distribution company Shapla Media. His son Shanto Khan worked as a film actor.

Selim had faced allegations of illegally extracting sand from the Padma-Meghna rivers and irregularities related to land acquisition for Chandpur Science and Technology University, among other allegations.

He was also accused in several cases, including those filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission and those related to alleged tax evasion.

On August 5, 2024, the day the Sheikh Hasina government was ousted, Selim and his son were reportedly attempting to flee by motorcycle through the Balia area of Chandpur Sadar when they encountered a crowd.

They were subsequently killed in a mob attack in the Farakabad area. Their bodies were later recovered and buried at their family graveyard.

Local residents said police did not initially recover the bodies amid tensions and public anger. A case was filed with Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station over the incident.

As part of the investigation, a court ordered the exhumation of the two bodies for autopsies.