Sagar-Runi murder case investigation report deferred for 128th time

The submission of the investigation report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi has been deferred once again, marking the 128th time the deadline has been extended. The court has set August 27 as the new date for filing the report.

Wednesday (July 22) was scheduled for submitting the investigation report. However, the investigating officer, Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) Additional Superintendent of Police Md. Azizul Haq, failed to submit the report on the designated day. Consequently, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam fixed the new date. The matter was confirmed by SI Mazharul Islam of the Prosecution Department.

The accused in the case include Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Mia, Masum Mintu, Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, two security guards from Sagar-Runi's residence—Palash Rudra Paul and Enayet Ahmed—and their acquaintance Tanveer Rahman Khan. Among the accused, Tanveer Rahman Khan is currently out on bail. Palash Rudra Paul also absconded after being released on bail, while the remaining accused remain in custody.

On February 11, 2012, Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered at their residence in West Rajabazar, Dhaka. Following the incident, the deceased Runi's brother, Nousher Alam Roman, filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Due to a lack of progress over a prolonged period, the High Court withdrew the investigation from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) on September 30, 2024, assigning it to a high-powered task force formed through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The court instructed the team to conclude the investigation and submit a report within six months. As the investigation remained incomplete within the initial timeframe, the prosecution sought additional time citing ongoing progress. On April 22, 2025, the High Court granted a six-month extension, fixing October 22 for the next order.

Subsequently, as the investigation was still not finalized within the extended period, the High Court granted an additional six months on October 23 to the high-powered task force, which comprises experienced officers from various agencies. Despite the expiration of that deadline as well, the investigation report has yet to be submitted to the court.