Nila Chowdhury Demands Justice as Salman Shah Death Investigation Resurfaces Following Suspect Arrest

LONDON — The mother of iconic Dhallywood actor Salman Shah has reiterated her demand for justice, nearly three decades after his death, following the recent arrest of a key suspect in the long-standing murder case.

Neela Chowdhury, speaking at a press conference at the Bengali Press Club in London, publicly alleged that she was offered a bribe of 100 crore taka shortly after her son’s death in 1996 to drop the pursuit of the case. She claimed that a former government minister, who was an associate of Aziz Mohammad Bhai, visited her home months after the incident to propose the payment.

“They told me to stop pushing the case and offered me 100 crore taka, telling me to enjoy the money as I was getting older,” Chowdhury stated. She added that she had rejected the offer, demanding the return of her son instead. Chowdhury also alleged that she faced persistent threats throughout the investigation but maintained that no intimidation could deter her quest for the truth.

Salman Shah, a transformative figure in 1990s Bangladeshi cinema, was found dead at his Eskaton residence in Dhaka on September 6, 1996. While authorities initially categorized the death as a suicide, the case has remained mired in controversy, with family members and fans consistently alleging foul play. The recent arrest of a suspect identified as Don has revitalized public discourse and pressure on the judicial system to resolve the mystery.

During the press briefing, Chowdhury explicitly accused the actor’s former wife, Samira, of being complicit in the death. She alleged that Samira fled the country to either Allahabad or Hyderabad in India to escape legal scrutiny. Chowdhury demanded that authorities secure Samira’s return to face justice.

Addressing long-standing rumors regarding the actor’s personal life, Chowdhury dismissed speculations of a romantic relationship between Salman Shah and actress Shabnur. She clarified that the actor viewed Shabnur as a younger sister and supported her career, noting that since Salman had no siblings, he treated her with familial affection.

As the case enters a potential new phase following the latest arrest, both the victim’s family and his supporters remain hopeful that a definitive investigation will finally unveil the circumstances surrounding his death and hold all responsible parties accountable.