A body, believed to be that of Harris Chowdhury, a prominent BNP leader and former political adviser to ex-prime minister Begum Khaleda Zia, was exhumed on Wednesday from a graveyard in Savar to confirm identity of the body in a DNA test. The body of a man buried under the name Mahmudur Rahman was exhumed from a graveyard in Savar on Wednesday following a court order for DNA testing to confirm if the man was actually BNP leader Harris Chowdhury.
The exhumation took place at the Jamiah Khatamunnabiyyin Madrasa graveyard in Birulia under the supervision of Executive Magistrate SM Rasel Islam Noor, following an appeal by Chowdhury's daughter, Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury. She sought to resolve lingering confusion surrounding the identity of the remains. If confirmed as Harris Chowdhury, the body is expected to be reburied in Sylhet.
The procedure was carried out based on an order issued by the Dhaka District Magistrate's office on October 8. Samira Chowdhury, along with several administrative officials, was present at the scene.
Harris Chowdhury passed away in 2021, but reports emerged suggesting that he was buried under the alias of Mahmudur Rahman. These reports raised doubts, leading authorities to exhume the body for forensic testing to verify its true identity.
Dhaka District Superintendent of Police (SP) Ahmed Mueed., along with Savar Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Noor, other senior officials, and Chowdhury's family members, were present during the exhumation.
Regarding the exhumation of the body, SP Mueed said, "We have come to know that it is the body of Harris Chowdhury. His family brought his body here to be buried in a safe place. His daughter filed a writ petition in September and court ordered to exhume the body. Following that order, the body was exhumed."
Maulana Ashiqur Rahman Kashemi, who led the funeral prayers in 2021, recalled, "We buried him as Prof Mahmudur Rahman after receiving the body from his brother-in-law during the Covid-19 pandemic. Until now, we knew him by that name."
Family members have confirmed that Harris Chowdhury's last wish was to be buried in his native village in Sylhet. After the exhumation confirms his identity, they plan to carry out his final rites there.
Many even claimed he hadn't died and had gone into hiding," said his daughter Samira. She added, "I hope my father will be buried with state dignity, as per his final wishes."
