The body of journalist Bibhuranjan Sarkar was handed over to his family after an autopsy at Munshiganj General Hospital. His younger brother, Chiranjan Sarkar, received the body.
A freezer ambulance departed from Munshiganj for Dhaka at 1:15 pm on Saturday, carrying the body.
According to a report from the United News of Bangladesh (UNB), Chiranjan Sarkar confirmed that the ambulance would first transport the body to their residence in Siddheshwari, Dhaka, for final tributes from family and well-wishers. The body will then be taken to Baredeshwari Kali Temple in Sabujbagh for the last rites.
Dr. Sheikh Md Ehsanul Islam, the resident medical officer at Munshiganj General Hospital, confirmed that no injury marks were found on Bibhuranjan’s body. However, he stated that the conclusion would be determined after receiving the forensic report.
Chiranjan Sarkar explained that his brother had left their home on Thursday morning to head to the office of Ajker Patrika in Banashree. However, he went missing, and inquiries at his office revealed that he had not arrived. Despite contacting friends and family, there was no trace of him, and his mobile phone was found at home. A general diary (GD) was filed at the Ramna Police Station at 10 pm that night.
On Friday afternoon, Bibhuranjan’s body was recovered by river police from the Meghna River near Char Balaki in Gazaria Upazila, Munshiganj.
Bibhuranjan Sarkar had been active in journalism for over five decades.
Before disappearing, he had sent a “letter to the editor” to bdnews24.com, strongly criticising the interim government’s press wing. In his letter, he mentioned the constant fear faced by media executives, writing, “The press department is not open-minded. Those in charge of media are always in constant fear of receiving calls to withdraw articles or news.”
He concluded his letter by asking, “What should I do now? Which path should I take?” In a footnote, he referred to the letter as his “final writing.”
Family members have shared that Bibhuranjan had been struggling with depression for the past few years.