Sagar-Runi case: Investigation report postponed for 118th time

NN Online:

A Dhaka court on Tuesday extended the deadline for submitting the investigation report in the high-profile murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Nahar Runi to July 8, marking the 118th extension since the investigation began over 12 years ago.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shahin Reza granted the extension following a plea from the prosecution, as the investigating agency again failed to submit the report. The court also approved a petition from the investigation officer seeking permission to interrogate accused Tanvir, who remains in custody.

Sagar and Runi were found brutally murdered at their rented flat in the capital’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012. Their then four-year-old son, Mahir Sarwar Megh, was present at the scene. Runi’s brother, Nawser Alam, filed the murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station the following day.

Initially handled by the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police, the case was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). Despite numerous extensions, RAB failed to submit the report after 111 attempts over the years.

In response to the prolonged delay, the High Court on September 30, 2024, ordered the formation of a high-powered task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, stripping RAB of the lead role in the investigation.

Subsequently, the government formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, designating the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) as its convener. The task force also includes one representative each from the Police Headquarters, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), and RAB, all at the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or equivalent.

The task force was instructed to submit its findings within six months of its formation.

The full text of the High Court’s directive was published on October 16, 2024, reaffirming the shift of investigative authority to the newly formed task force.