DHAKA, Dec 9, 2025 (BSS) - Six more bodies of July Uprising martyrs were exhumed at Rayerbazar Graveyard today for DNA sample collection and post-mortem examinations as part of the government efforts to hand over the remains to their families after identification.

"Six more bodies retrieved from the grave today for DNA sample collection and post-mortem examination," Special Police Super of the Criminal Investigation Department (media) Md Jasim Uddin Khan told BSS today.

The bodies were reburied with due honour upon completion of the forensic process, he added. 

The exhumation of the bodies of 114 unidentified martyrs of the July Uprising began at Rayerbazar Graveyard on Sunday morning for their forensic test.

So far, 11 members of seven families have provided DNA samples to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) with hopes of tracing out the remains of their loved ones.

On Sunday, two bodies were lifted from the grave for DNA collection and post-mortem examination. Later, the bodies were reburied with due honour.

The CID official confirmed that the DNA samples from four bodies were collected and post-mortems were conducted on Monday.

International forensic expert Louis Fondebrider and a team of forensic anthropologists are supervising the large-scale operation.

The CID's crime scene unit has installed specialized tents and equipment inside the cemetery to facilitate the sensitive work.

The initiative follows a court order issued by Dhaka Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman on August 4 last.

The court issued order upon a petition filed by Sub-Inspector (SI) Mahidul Islam of Mohammadpur Police Station seeking exhumation of the bodies for legal and identification purposes.

The petition emphasized that exhumation is essential for conducting proper post-mortem examination, collecting DNA samples, and ensuring the bodies are legally and accurately identified.

Authorities have assured that once identification is confirmed, the bodies will be handed over to their families and reburied with due dignity.

The process is crucial to ensuring justice, accountability, and recognition for those who sacrificed their lives during the July Uprising.