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Published : 26 Apr 2026, 04:45 PM
The court-formed taskforce probing the high-profile murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi is still unable to determine a motive, Attorney General Ruhul Quddus Kazal has said.
The task force lacks access to crucial evidence and records more than a decade after the killings with many witnesses currently out of reach because they left the country after the 2024 political changeover.
He made the remarks during and after a hearing at the High Court which granted the task force six more months to complete the investigation into the murders that occurred in 2012.
The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice AFM Saiful Karim passed the order on Sunday following an application by the attorney general.
Despite the case being 14 years old, the latest probe report indicates that the investigation is stalled due to a lack of "systemic transfer" of information from previous agencies.
Kazal told the court that the current taskforce is struggling to maintain the "chain of investigation" because they cannot access documents held by previous custodians.
“The investigating officer informed me that they do not have access to crucial evidence, including the case diary (CD) and other documents essential for completing the probe,” Kazal said at a press briefing after the hearing.
“Those who were the custodians at the time... the current team simply cannot get through to them. This is the primary obstacle.”
Kazal also said the "crime scene" no longer exists and basic evidentiary materials are beyond reach.
“The taskforce members did not visit the site immediately after the incident. There is no scene left to inspect, the flat has likely been sold to someone else,” he added.
Petitioner’s lawyer Mohammad Shishir Manir criticised the latest progress report submitted by the taskforce, noting that the taskforce has ruled out every common theory without providing a new lead.
“They said they haven't found a motive or a clue. Marital discord? They say no. Business dispute? No. Professional work? No. Land dispute? No. Then what is the ‘yes’?” Manir questioned.
He also expressed scepticism over the taskforce's desire to interrogate former ministers and high-ranking police officials who are currently "missing" or outside the country.
“Does the investigation stay stuck until they are found? They are not within Bangladesh's jurisdiction. I see no possibility of finding them in six months,” Manir said.
The murders of Sagar, news editor at Maasranga TV, and Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, took place in their West Rajabazar apartment on Feb 11, 2012.
In February 2012, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police investigated the case for only four days before it was handed over to the Detective Branch, which handled the probe for 62 days until April but failed to find any leads.
Following a HC order in April 2012, the Rapid Action Battalion took charge of the investigation and continued probing the case for over 12 years until September 2024.
After the fall of the Awami League government in September 2024, the High Court removed RAB from the case and ordered the formation of a taskforce led by the chief of the Police Bureau of Investigation.
Manir highlighted the plight of several individuals who have been in jail for nearly a decade without any update on their involvement.
“The plaintiff, Runi’s brother Nowsher Alam Roman, told us they do not want any innocent person to suffer in jail,” Manir said, adding that the couple's son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, continues to ask, “What happens next?”
Kazal echoed these concerns, stating that the state has a duty to ensure no innocent person is victimised due to "cheap talk" or public pressure for a quick report.
He, however, maintained that the current government is sincere and has not interfered in the taskforce's work.
Eight people, including two security guards and a "friend" of the couple, were arrested in connection with the case.
While some are on bail, others remain in custody as the wait for a charge sheet enters its 15th year.
