Harris Chowdhury’s death: Mystery resolved thru DNA test after 3 years

Masked as another life claimed by Covid 19, a man known only as Mahmudur Rahman was quietly laid to rest in a madrasa graveyard in Savar on 4 September 2021 – his identity shrouded in mystery.

Today (4 December), after more than three years, DNA testing conclusively identified the unknown man as Harris Chowdhury, the former political secretary to ex-Prime Minister Khaleda Zia and a prominent BNP leader, reports UNB.

The revelation ended years of speculation about Harris's fate, and with it a family's enduring quest for closure, shedding light on a story that had remained buried – both figuratively and literally.

Exhumation, DNA confirmation and reburial

On 5 September, the High Court ordered exhumation of the body for DNA testing in response to a writ petition filed by Harris Chowdhury's daughter, Barrister Samira Tanzin Chowdhury.

As per the order, on 16 October, the body was exhumed from the Jamia Khatamun Graveyard in the Kamalpur area of Birulia union, Savar by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) under tight security.

Yesterday, after reviewing the DNA test findings submitted to the court, which yielded a positive match with Harris's daughter, the High Court bench of Justice Fahmida Khatun and Justice Mubina Asaf granted permission to rebury Harris Chowdhury's body at his preferred burial site with due honour as a freedom fighter as per his last wishes.

Barrister Mahdin Chowdhury, who represented the petitioner, said that the court's decision brought long-awaited justice for the family.

Barrister Samira expressed relief, saying, "The previous fascist regime scripted a drama to cast doubt on my father's death, perpetuating confusion through media reports. This uncertainty was agonising for us as a family. People still asked, 'Did he really pass away?' 

"We turned to the court for closure, and today [yesterday], justice has been served."

Barrister Samira said the government at the time of her father's death denied him the honours he deserved as a freedom fighter.

"Today's court order ends the harassment and confusion surrounding my father's death. We are grateful to the court for allowing us to re-bury him with dignity," she remarked.

Authorities are currently holding his body at the Dhaka Medical College morgue, and they will transfer it to his family graveyard in Kanaighat of Sylhet, for burial.

The court issued a rule to ensure authorities would issue a death certificate in his name, withdraw the Interpol red notice against him, and arrange for his burial with the proper recognition as a 'heroic' freedom fighter.

A mystery since 2007

Harris Chowdhury disappeared in 2007 during the military-backed caretaker government's anti-corruption drive. He reportedly went into hiding in Sylhet, later fleeing to India and eventually settling in the United Kingdom after stints in Pakistan and Iran, reports UNB.

In 2015, rumours circulated that he had returned to Bangladesh, but no concrete evidence emerged. Even his family and close political associates were unaware of his whereabouts.

Living under the alias Mahmudur Rahman, Harris resided in Dhaka until his death from Covid-19 on 3 September 2021, at Evercare Hospital. 

Under pressure from law enforcement agencies, his death was concealed, and he was buried in Savar without a death certificate under his real name. 

For some time, Harris Chowdhury's cousin, Ashiq Chowdhury, had hinted at inconsistencies regarding Harris's death through Facebook posts but never made direct statements. This sparked public discussion. 

Samira later clarified that her father had indeed died in Dhaka. 

Earlier, there was a rumour that Harris Chowdhury had died in London, but Samira maintained he had remained in Bangladesh. He had been serving as an Imam in mosques and preaching on behalf of Tabligh-Jamaat.

Now, as Harris's body will finally be laid to rest, with the veil over his life – and death – lifted, it concludes a tale of mystery, intrigue, and a resilient daughter.