Sagar-Runi murder: Probe delayed again as task force seeks time

A high-level task force investigating the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has sought more time from the High Court, citing the need to verify and scrutinise information obtained by the tribunal.

The special investigation team has submitted a progress report to the High Court and requested an extension, saying it is still examining and cross-checking the information, according to the report.

The task force was scheduled to submit its investigation report on October 10. The matter was listed for an order before a High Court bench comprising Justice Shikdar Mahmudur Razi and Justice Fatema Anwar. However, the team sought additional time a day before the scheduled hearing.

On September 30, 2024, the High Court ordered the removal of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from the investigation and directed the formation of a high-level task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The court initially set April 6, 2025, as the deadline for submitting the investigation report. The ministry subsequently formed the task force.

No progress was made on the scheduled date as the High Court was on vacation on April 6. Subsequently, the state sought further extensions, with the court granting six months on three occasions—April 22, October 23 and April 26 of the following year, according to the case proceedings.

The writ petition has since returned to the court's cause list.

Sagar Sarowar, news editor of Maasranga Television, and his wife, Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered at their rented apartment in Dhaka's West Rajabazar on the night of February 11, 2012. Their bodies, bearing multiple injuries, were recovered early the following morning.

On February 12, 2012, Runi's brother, Nowsher Ali Roman, filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

The investigation has remained unresolved for more than a decade, with repeated deadline extensions failing to bring the case to a conclusion.