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Published : 02 Dec 2025, 10:19 PM
The Crime Investigation Department (CID) has “nearly completed” preparations to exhume unidentified bodies buried during the July Uprising that led to the fall of the Awami League government.
As part of the preparations, the CID’s Crime Scene Unit inspected the Rayerbazar graveyard on Tuesday afternoon.
Special Police Superintendent Jasim Uddin Khan said, “We have been getting ready for the exhumation for a long time. Our unit has visited the site repeatedly, and the work is now in its final stage.”
“When the exhumation begins, we will officially announce it.”
The police's application for the exhumation was approved by Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman on Aug 4.
Police had previously said, with court permission, all unidentified bodies buried in the Rayerbazar mass grave during July and August, 2024, would be exhumed to preserve DNA profiles to confirm their identity and cause of death.
The CID noted that after exhumation, the bodies will be reburied following proper procedures, with DNA samples and postmortems carried out. Foreign forensic experts will assist in the process.
A total of 114 people killed during the Uprising were buried at Rayerbazar graveyard in Dhaka.
The city corporation has paved the area with marble stones and tiles to mark the site.
During a visit to Rayerbazar on Aug 2, Home Advisor Jahangir Alam Chowdhury said the government would take steps to identify the bodies.
He said, “Many of the buried could not be identified. We have been considering how to confirm identities. Previously, many were not willing for the bodies to be exhumed. Now, most have agreed. Once all consent, we will identify them using DNA. Families who wish to take the bodies to their villages will also be allowed.”
The advisor added that the process would not take long, though four months have passed and police have yet to begin.
