Salman Shah Murder Case - After 29 Years, Court Revives - Family Awaits Justice

Nearly three decades after the tragic death of Dhallywood legend Salman Shah, a Dhaka court has finally ordered the revival and trial of his long-stalled murder case. The directive came from Dhaka’s Sixth Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Jannatul Ferdous Ibne Haque, who instructed Ramna Police Station to reopen and investigate the case.

New Investigation After 29 Years

Salman Shah, one of Bangladesh’s most beloved film stars, passed away on September 6, 1996. His death was officially recorded as an “unnatural death,” but his family and fans have always suspected foul play. Despite decades of speculation and public demand, no proper investigation had taken place — until now.

Following the court’s latest order, Salman’s uncle, Alamgir Kumkum, officially filed a murder case at Ramna Police Station. The case names Salman’s former wife, Samira Haque, actor Don Haque, and nine others as accused individuals.

Family’s Long Fight for Justice

Salman’s mother, Neela Chowdhury, has persistently claimed that her son was murdered in a planned way. She has long alleged that when the family tried to file a murder case in 1996, the police registered it instead as a case of unnatural death, assuring them that if evidence of homicide emerged, it would automatically be treated as murder.
That assurance never materialized — until now.

Samira Haque’s Controversial Statements

Since the beginning, Salman’s family’s suspicion has focused on his wife, Samira Haque, who has repeatedly denied any involvement. In a video interview last year, Samira stated:

“Those who commit suicide don’t announce it… It was suicide.”

Responding to Neela Chowdhury’s claims, Samira said,

“When a child commits suicide at home, do the parents go to remand? Then why me?”

She also alleged that Salman was “suicidal by nature”, claiming that he had attempted suicide three times before their marriage — twice recorded at Metropolitan Hospital and once at another clinic. According to her, these incidents occurred due to family conflicts and personal distress.

Samira and Don Haque Missing

Since the court ordered the case to proceed as a murder trial, both Samira Haque and Don Haque have reportedly been unreachable for several days. Samira’s phone has remained switched off, and she has not responded to calls or messages via WhatsApp. Similarly, Don Haque has ignored all communication attempts over the past four days, according to media reports.

A Star Lost Too Soon

Salman Shah entered Dhallywood in the early 1990s and became a superstar within just four years, appearing in 27 blockbuster films. His on-screen charm, emotional depth, and modern style redefined Bangladeshi cinema. Even today, 29 years after his death, his fans remain emotionally attached, remembering him as an irreplaceable icon of the silver screen.

The renewed court order has reignited hope among his admirers, who believe this may finally uncover the truth behind his mysterious death.

The Day Before His Death

According to witnesses, Salman was at the Film Development Corporation (FDC) on September 5, 1996, for the dubbing of his film “Prem Piyashi”, where actress Shabnur was also present. That evening, he called his father to bring Samira to the studio.

Upon arriving, Samira reportedly saw Salman and Shabnur joking and chatting inside the dubbing room — a sight that made her visibly upset, as several magazines had previously speculated about their chemistry. After Salman’s father left, Samira got into the car without speaking to anyone. Salman and director Badol Khondokar followed her, trying to ease the tension.

Later that night, Badol dropped Salman off at his New Eskaton residence around 11 p.m. What happened afterward remains a mystery.

Unanswered Questions Remain

Several witnesses and film industry insiders, including director Shah Alam, later stated that Salman had been under immense mental pressure during his final days — due to personal issues, professional disputes, and even a temporary ban by the film association. Yet, his family and millions of fans refuse to accept the suicide theory, insisting that justice for Salman Shah is long overdue.

As the murder case investigation resumes under Ramna Police, Bangladesh’s film community — and an entire generation of fans — await what could be the biggest revelation in Dhallywood’s history.