The body of former Khulna city BNP office secretary Mohammad Mohibuzzaman Kochi has been exhumed today, nearly five months after his death.

This follows a court order for a fresh autopsy as part of a murder investigation.

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), which is probing the case, sought permission to exhume the body to determine the exact cause of Kochi's death.

Kochi, 63, died on February 12 while serving as a polling agent for BNP candidate Nazrul Islam Monju at Khulna Alia Kamil Madrasa polling centre in the Khulna-2 constituency during the national parliamentary election.

His body was exhumed from Tutpara Graveyard around noon in the presence of Assistant Commissioner and Executive Magistrate Nazmus Sakib and later sent for a second post-mortem examination.

According to the case statement, Kochi was allegedly assaulted inside the polling centre after protesting against voter intimidation and attempts to influence votes.

The complaint alleges that the then acting principal of the madrasa, Md Abdur Rahim Sardar, grabbed him by the throat and pushed him, causing him to hit a tree. He was later declared dead at Khulna City Medical College Hospital.

The incident sparked controversy, with BNP leaders alleging Kochi died from the assault, while others claimed he suffered a heart attack.

Former Khulna Sadar Thana BNP organising secretary Md Yusuf Harun Majnu later filed a murder case, naming three accused and 15 to 20 unidentified individuals. The court assigned the investigation to the PBI.