Sagar-Runi murder: PBI seeks court nod to interrogate accused Tanvir

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) on Wednesday filed an application with a Dhaka court seeking permission to interrogate Tanvir Rahman, an accused in the 2012 murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.

Tanvir, a family friend of the victims, was arrested on October 10, 2012, and later released on bail.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shaheen Reza has scheduled a hearing on the petition for July 8. The court also extended the deadline for the investigation report submission to the same date — marking the 119th extension, according to case documents.

According to the PBI's application, Runi met Tanvir on the evening of February 10, 2012. CCTV and witness statements place them near Square Hospital at Panthapath around 5:15pm. Tanvir reportedly drove her to various locations before dropping her off at her West Rajabazar residence at around 7:00pm.

The couple was found murdered at their apartment later that night.

The investigation officer stated that despite being informed, Tanvir did not attend the funeral (janaza) or communicate with the victims’ families. His questioning is considered essential to uncovering new leads, the application said.

So far, investigators have interviewed over 70 individuals. Among them are former army official Ziaul Ahsan, ex-police officer Mashiur Rahman, former justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, ex-navy officer Mohammad Sohail, and accused individuals Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Paul.

Sagar, news editor at Maasranga TV, and Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered on February 11, 2012. The case has been transferred across multiple law enforcement bodies over the years — from Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police to the Detective Branch, and then the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab), which led the probe until November 3, 2023.

Following a High Court order, the PBI took over the investigation on November 4, 2023.

On October 23 last year, a four-member task force was formed with the PBI chief as its convener. The task force was directed to submit a final report to the High Court within six months, by March 31, 2025.

Eight suspects have been arrested in connection with the case: Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Miah, Masum Mintu, Palash Rudra Paul, Anamul Haque alias Humayun Kabir, and Tanvir Rahman Khan. While Tanvir and Palash are currently out on bail, the others remain behind bars.