Family files written complaint with tribunal seeking justice for Sagar-Runi murder

The family of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has filed a written complaint with the International Crimes Tribunal seeking justice for their murder. Nowsher Alom Roman, Runi's brother, submitted the complaint to the Chief Prosecutor of the tribunal on behalf of the family on Sunday, September 13.

The complaint stated that Golam Mostafa Sarowar (Sagar Sarowar), news editor of Maasranga Television, and Meherun Nahar (Meherun Runi), senior correspondent of ATN Bangla, were brutally murdered between approximately 2am and 7am on February 11, 2012, at their rented flat in Paschim Rajabazar in the capital. Even after 14 long years, the government and investigating agencies have not been able to solve the murder.

After investigations by the police station, the Detective Branch and the Rapid Action Battalion failed, a high-powered task force was formed on the orders of the High Court. Currently, the task force is investigating the case under the leadership of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI).

However, the complaint noted that there has been no progress in the investigation even though nearly two years have passed since the formation of the task force. It stated that the family members want the International Crimes Tribunal to find the real killers and those responsible through a fair and proper investigation, bring them to justice and ensure exemplary punishment for the guilty.

The complaint has been entered into the complaint register, seeking proper investigation of crimes against humanity and legal action under Section 8 of the International Crimes Tribunal Act, 1973.

Earlier, on August 30, at a press conference organised at the tribunal marking the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, it was said that new information had been found in the investigation into the Sagar-Runi murder. Following this, the family of Sagar-Runi took the initiative to file the complaint with the tribunal.

At that press conference, tribunal prosecutor Tanvir Zoha said digital information from electronic devices of former RAB Additional Director General Ziaul Ahsan, seized in a case of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), was later seized by the tribunal's investigation agency. Various documents and server information of Ziaul Ahsan since 2007 were found on these devices. He said some deleted files were also recovered.

Tanvir Zoha said analysis of this information had identified "three to four" suspects in the Sagar-Runi murder incident.

Citing information obtained from the interrogation of one person, he said that between 10pm and 11pm the night before the Sagar-Runi murder, then RAB official Ziaul Ahsan was told that a "nationally important incident" would occur the next day and that he needed to be present there. The next morning, the Sagar-Runi murder came to light.

Tanvir Zoha said the investigation suggested that a link to the murder could exist with sensitive documents, discs, tapes or memory-related matters concerning the government or the media at that time.

At that press conference, tribunal Chief Prosecutor Md Aminul Islam said the complaint would be accepted if it fell within the jurisdiction of the tribunal. He said the investigation had raised the possibility of a link between a "cultural personality" and the murder. At the same time, the possibility of the involvement of any military or RAB official was also being examined.

Sagar-Runi's son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, had said he was hopeful because new information had emerged in the investigation after a long time. He said he wants proper justice. At the same time, he also wants no innocent person to be implicated in the case.

On the other hand, Runi's brother Nowsher Alom Roman, expressing frustration over the progress of the investigation, had said the task force's investigation was practically at zero. He had demanded that the real accused be brought forward.