Police Arrest Actor Ashraful Haque Don in Connection With Salman Shah Murder Case

DHAKA — Police have arrested Ashraful Haque Don, a prominent actor known for his villainous roles in Bangladeshi cinema, in connection with the long-standing murder case of superstar Salman Shah. Law enforcement officials took Don into custody on Sunday, August 9, at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka.

The arrest follows nearly three decades of uncertainty surrounding the death of Salman Shah, who passed away on September 6, 1996. While the case remained shrouded in speculation for years, a murder lawsuit was officially filed in October of last year at the Ramna Police Station by Alamgir Kumkum, the uncle of the late actor, acting on behalf of Shah’s mother, Neela Chowdhury.

Speaking from the United Kingdom on Monday, Neela Chowdhury welcomed the arrest but expressed deep frustration over the prolonged duration it took to bring Don into custody. She alleged that despite being a suspect, Don had been moving freely and attending public events without consequence. Chowdhury questioned the lack of action regarding other suspects in the case and suggested that Don’s arrest could lead to crucial revelations if he is subjected to remand and interrogation.

Neela Chowdhury further accused Don of threatening her family and profiting from his association with Salman Shah during the actor’s lifetime. She urged the judiciary to deny any bail requests, insisting that Don must face punishment for his alleged involvement in the killing. Additionally, she raised concerns about who may have been providing patronage to the suspects, noting that influential figures in the industry appeared aware of their movements.

The case against Salman Shah’s death involves 11 named suspects. In addition to Don, the list includes the actor’s former wife, Samira Haque, as well as Latifa Haque Lucy, Aziz Mohammad Bhai, David, Javed, Faruk, Ruby, Abdus Sattar, Saju, and Rezvi Ahmed, also known as Farhad.

Neela Chowdhury concluded her statement by demanding the immediate apprehension of the remaining suspects, including the primary accused, Samira Haque. She emphasized that the suspects are not beyond the reach of the law and called for an expedited judicial process to finally secure justice for her son.