Tragic Fire Incident Claims Life of Journalist Abhishruti Shashtri [Bailey Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh]

(Reported as seen)

In a tragic event that unfolded on Thursday, February 29th, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a fire accident at a commercial building on Bailey Road claimed the lives of 46 individuals, including a 25-year-old journalist named Abhishruti Shashtri. Shashtri, who was associated with ‘TheReport.live’ at the time of her demise, succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning, a fate shared by most victims of the devastating blaze.

The identification of Shashtri’s body took place the following day at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital’s burn unit by her colleagues. It was a somber moment compounded by confusion when a man claiming to be her father, Shahburul Alam Sabuj, appeared at the Sheikh Hasina Burn Institute to claim her body under a different identity – that of ‘Brishti Khatun,’ asserting that the deceased was, in fact, a Muslim and not a Hindu as her colleagues and friends have stated.

This claim led to a significant dispute over Shashtri’s religious identity, as she had always identified as a Hindu according to those who knew her closely. The hospital authorities, in response to the controversy, cross-verified her details with the national database, finding her voter identity card and fingerprints registered under the name ‘Brishti Khatun.’

Amidst the uproar and confusion surrounding Shashtri’s identity, the hospital has decided to withhold the body pending a DNA test, aiming to clarify her identity conclusively. This unexpected turn of events has left her colleagues and friends in dismay, who remember her primarily for her dedication to journalism, particularly her coverage of election news.

Sabuj, amidst the controversy, reminisced about his daughter’s ambition and independence, highlighting her resolve to make a significant impact without relying on him financially. His narrative brings a personal tragedy to light, overshadowing the aspirations and accomplishments of his daughter, whose life was abruptly cut short.

As the community waits for the DNA test results, the incident has sparked a broader conversation on identity, religion, and the complexities surrounding personal versus public personas in Bangladesh. This tragic incident not only mourns the loss of a young journalist but also confronts societal challenges in recognizing individual identity amidst conflicting claims.