Nearly three decades after the sudden and controversial death of Bangladesh’s beloved film superstar Salman Shah, a Dhaka court has reignited public interest and speculation by imposing a travel ban on two key figures linked to the long-running case. The ban, handed down on October 27, 2025, targets Shah’s widow, Samira Haque, and popular film actor Ashraful Haque, also known as Dawn, both of whom are now officially barred from leaving the country as the investigation into Shah’s alleged murder intensifies.
The decision, reported by BSS and other local outlets, was made by Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Saifuzzaman. The court’s action followed a formal plea submitted by investigation officer Atiqul Alam Khandaker of Ramna Police Station on October 22. This move marks a dramatic turn in a saga that has gripped the Bangladeshi public since September 6, 1996—the day Salman Shah, whose real name was Chowdhury Mohammad Shahriar (Emon), was found dead in his New Eskaton residence.
According to the case statement, the events of that fateful day unfolded with a series of unsettling discoveries. Shah’s mother, Nilufar Zaman Chowdhury (Neela Chowdhury), his father, the late Kamar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, and his younger brother, Shahraan Shah, arrived at Salman’s home hoping to visit him. They were greeted by Samira and a domestic aide named Abul, who informed them that Salman was sleeping. Notably, film producer Siddique was present at the time as well. The family, not wanting to disturb him, told Samira they would see Salman on their way to Sylhet.
But the day soon took a tragic turn. Later, production manager Selim called Kamar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury with urgent news: something had happened to Salman, and they were urged to rush back to his house. Upon their return, the family was met with a harrowing scene. Salman Shah lay motionless in his bedroom, as several unidentified women attempted to revive him by rubbing oil on his hands and feet. In another room sat Ruby, a relative of Samira and the owner of the nearby Mayfair Beauty Parlour. The tension escalated when, as reported in the case, one of Samira’s acquaintances shouted at her, "You get out of my house."
Salman’s mother, in a state of panic, insisted they take her son to the hospital immediately. The family rushed him first to Holy Family Hospital, where they noticed rope marks around his neck and that his face and legs were turning blue—alarming signs that fueled suspicion and heartbreak. Still not satisfied, his mother demanded they continue to Dhaka Medical College Hospital. There, doctors declared Salman Shah dead on arrival, stating he had passed away some time earlier.
The aftermath of Salman Shah’s death was as tumultuous as his final hours. Initially, his father filed an unnatural death case, a common legal step in Bangladesh for cases involving suspicious circumstances. However, as the years passed and suspicions deepened, the family’s resolve for answers only grew stronger. On July 24, 1997, Kamar Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury filed a fresh petition with the court, this time directly alleging murder and seeking to register the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which covers premeditated homicide.
"As Salman's father—my brother-in-law—has passed away, I am pursuing the case on behalf of my sister under the power of attorney vested in me," stated Mohammad Alamgir, Salman Shah’s maternal uncle and the current complainant, as quoted in the court documents. This new push for justice culminated nearly 29 years after Salman’s death, when, on October 21, 2025, Alamgir lodged the murder case against 11 individuals at Ramna Police Station. The named accused include Samira Haque, Aziz Mohammad Bhai, Latifa Haque Lusi, Dawn, David, Zaved, Faruk, Ruby, A. Sattar, Saju, and Rijvi Ahmed Farhad.
The legal landscape of the case shifted yet again on October 20, 2025, when Dhaka’s 6th Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge, Md Jannatul Ferdous Ibn Haque, issued a directive to treat the original ‘unnatural death’ case as a murder investigation and to submit a report accordingly. This order also referenced a previous court decision from October 31, 2021, which had cancelled and revoked the original unnatural death case, clearing the way for the current murder proceedings.
For many Bangladeshis, Salman Shah’s death remains one of the country’s most enduring mysteries. At the height of his fame in the 1990s, Shah was a household name, adored for his charismatic screen presence and romantic roles. His sudden demise at just 25 years old sent shockwaves through the nation, spawning countless conspiracy theories, public protests, and persistent calls for a thorough investigation. The involvement of high-profile figures—including his wife and other entertainment industry personalities—only added to the intrigue and speculation.
Despite the passage of nearly three decades, the case has never truly faded from the public consciousness. Over the years, various investigations have been launched, closed, and reopened, each time reigniting debates about what really happened on that September morning in 1996. The new travel bans, as reported by BSS and corroborated by local news sources, are viewed by many as a sign that authorities are finally taking decisive action to prevent key suspects from fleeing the country as the case moves forward.
The story is also a sobering reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in Bangladesh’s legal system, especially when dealing with high-profile or politically sensitive cases. Delays, shifting charges, and the involvement of powerful individuals have all contributed to the protracted nature of the Salman Shah investigation. Yet, for his family and legions of fans, the hope remains that justice will eventually prevail.
As of today, the investigation continues under the watchful eye of both the public and the authorities. With travel bans now in place and the case officially reclassified as a murder probe, the coming months could finally bring long-awaited answers—or perhaps, even more questions—about the tragic fate of one of Bangladesh’s brightest stars.
For now, the legacy of Salman Shah endures in both his films and the hearts of those who refuse to let his story be forgotten.
