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Published : 14 Sep 2025, 03:28 PM
A Dhaka court has expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation into the high-profile double murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi, ordering investigators to make "every possible effort" to wrap up the probe.
Sunday had been set as the date for submitting the investigation report at the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Minhazur Rahman, alongside a scheduled hearing on the progress of the case.
In line with a court order issued on Aug 11, Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), the current investigating officer, appeared before the court for the hearing at 12:10pm.
When pressed on how far the investigation had advanced, Azizul said: “Under instructions from the High Court, the investigation began through a high-powered taskforce. Later, I was given responsibility for the case. In interrogations of journalists connected to the case, neighbours, relatives, and DNA experts, I have obtained many important pieces of information."
Azizul added that investigators found a mixed DNA sample containing traces from two individuals, but they have yet to be identified, leading to delays in the submission of the investigation report.
“Although the deadline for submitting the investigation report had expired some days ago, more time has been sought from the High Court.”
At this stage, the judge interjected and said that similar explanations had been given by previous investigating officers. Unhappy with the slow progress, the judge ordered Azizul to complete the investigation in earnest.
On Feb 11, 2012, journalist couple Sagar and Runi were murdered in their rented home in Dhaka’s West Rajabazar.
At the time, Sagar was employed by the private television channel Maasranga TV, while Runi worked for ATN Bangla.
Runi's brother, Nausher Ali Roman, filed a case with the Sher-e-Bangla Police Station in connection with the murder.
Later, the High Court ordered the case to be transferred from the Rapid Action Battalion, or RAB, to a high-powered task force under the home ministry for further investigation.
After a change in government, Rupa and her husband, journalist Shakil Ahmed, were arrested at Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport on Aug 21, 2024, while allegedly attempting to leave the country.
They were later shown as arrested in a murder case filed at Adabor Police Station and were remanded twice for questioning.
The duo were also shown arrested in another murder case filed in Mirpur Police Station linked to the Anti-discrimination Student Movement, with both placed on a five-day remand.
After the case was filed, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station was given the responsibility of investigating the incident. Three days later, the case was handed over to the DB. Later, on Apr 18, 2012, the case was handed over to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
After the murder, the then home minister said that the mystery of the murderers would be unveiled within 48 hours; but the law enforcers have not been able to unravel it in over a decade.
After taking charge, RAB also sent several items from the crime scene, including clothes, to a US lab for DNA and other biometric tests. But the results have not been released yet.
The delay in the investigation process has created frustration and anxiety among the families and professionals of the slain journalist couple. Demands for speedy justice in the case have been raised from various quarters.
On Sept 30 last year, RAB was removed from the responsibility of investigating the case and at the same time the High Court formed a high-powered task force and set a six-month deadline for completing the investigation. The PBI is investigating the case under the taskforce.
