Autopsy of Bibhuranjan finds no injury marks

No external or internal injuries were found on the body of journalist Bibhuranjan Sarker, according to his autopsy report.

The postmortem was conducted yesterday at Munshiganj General Hospital, in the presence of police and family members.

Dr Sheikh Md Ehsan, residential medical officer of the hospital who conducted the autopsy, said, "The body was recovered from water and was in a slightly decomposed state. We did not find any signs of injury."

"However, samples of teeth, hair, liver, kidney, and parts of the stomach have been collected and preserved for forensic analysis in Dhaka. A final opinion can only be given after receiving the laboratory reports," he told reporters.

Bibhuranjan Sarker's younger brother, Chiroranjan Sarker, told The Daily Star, "We will wait for the final postmortem report. After completing all formalities here, we will take the body to Dhaka. It will first be kept at his Siddheshwari residence for some time and then cremated at Borodeshwari Kali Temple in Sabujbagh."

Asked about legal action, he said, "We have not yet made any decision. We will sit with all family members before deciding the next step."

Inspector Mohammad Saleh Ahmed Pathan of Kolagachia Naval Police Outpost said the body would now be handed over to the family. "After that, further legal measures will be discussed with them," he added.

Bibhuranjan had left his Siddheshwari residence in Dhaka on Thursday morning. His body was recovered from the Meghna River the following day, around 3:45pm, at Balakir Char in Gazaria upazila of Munshiganj.

The 71-year-old journalist was serving as senior assistant editor at the daily Ajker Patrika. He went missing around 10:00am on Thursday after leaving his residence, and his family filed a general diary (GD) with Ramna Police Station later that night.