Probe report in Sagar-Runi murder case deferred for 122th time

A Dhaka court on Sunday set 5 January for filing the probe report in the sensational case lodged over the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, extending the deadline for the 122th time.

‎Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Mahbub Alam passed the order, as the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) failed to submit the report on the scheduled date.

‎The journalist couple was brutally murdered at their rented flat in the city's West Rajabazar on 11 February 2012, in the presence of their then four-year-old son, Mahir Sarwar Megh.

Runi's brother Nawser Alam later filed a murder case with the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

‎Initially, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) was entrusted with the charge of the investigation into the murder case, which was later transferred to the RAB.

The elite crime-busting agency failed to submit the investigation report despite seeking time on 111 occasions over the past 12 years.

‎On 30 September 2024, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force through the Ministry of Home Affairs to probe the case, removing RAB from the charge.

‎The government formed a four-member task force on 23 October 2024, through a notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The task force was asked to submit its findings within six months.

‎The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was named the task force convener, though the notification did not disclose the names of the other members.

‎The task force also includes one representative not below the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General (DIG) from Police Headquarters, one from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the same rank, and one of the rank of RAB Director.

‎On 16 October 2024, the High Court released the full text of its 30 September order, which directed that the authority to probe the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Nahar Runi be shifted from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) to a high-powered task force under the home ministry.