Bodies of Selim Khan, son exhumed two years after death

The bodies of former union parishad chairman Selim Khan and his son, actor Shanto Khan, were exhumed from their graves on Wednesday (October 7), more than two years after their deaths, for post-mortem examinations following a court order.

Selim Khan’s body was first exhumed in the Lakshmipur Model Union area of Chandpur Sadar in the morning. His son’s body was recovered from the grave shortly afterwards.

Executive Magistrate Prottoy Hashem and investigating officer Chand Mia were present during the exhumation.

Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Foyez Ahmed said police had applied to the district administration for the appointment of an executive magistrate to facilitate the exhumation after the court ordered post-mortem examinations.

The district administration approved the request, allowing the process to be carried out on Wednesday.

Selim Khan was chairman of Lakshmipur Model Union Parishad and president of the union unit of the Awami League. He was also involved in the film industry as the owner of Shapla Media, a film production and distribution company. His son, Shanto Khan, had acted in several films.

Selim Khan had faced allegations of illegal sand extraction from the Padma-Meghna rivers in Chandpur and irregularities related to land acquisition for Chandpur Science and Technology University.

He had also faced multiple cases filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission and over allegations of revenue evasion, as well as having previously been imprisoned.

Selim Khan and Shanto Khan were killed by a mob on the evening of August 5, 2024, while reportedly attempting to leave the area following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

Police later filed a case over the deaths at Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station. As part of the investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, the court ordered the bodies to be exhumed for post-mortem examinations.