The long-stalled investigation into the brutal murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi suffered yet another setback as authorities failed to submit the probe report for the 117th time.
On Tuesday, the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) once again failed to present the long-awaited investigation report in court. As a result, Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate M A Azharul Islam scheduled a new submission date for May 21.
The case dates back to February 11, 2012, when Sagar Sarowar, a news editor at Maasranga Television, and his wife Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were found murdered in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka. Their then four-and-a-half-year-old son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, was home during the incident.
The murder shocked the nation and raised serious concerns about the safety of journalists in Bangladesh. Runi’s brother, Nausher Alam, filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station the day after the killings.
Eight individuals were charged in connection with the case: Rafiqul Islam, Bokul Mia, Masum Mintoo, Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, security guards Palash Rudra Pal and Enayet Ahmed, and their associate Tanvir Rahman Khan. Among them, Tanvir and Palash are currently out on bail, while the others remain in custody.
Following the mass uprising that ousted the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, the Ministry of Home Affairs formed a four-member task force on October 23 to expedite the probe. The team is headed by Additional Inspector General of Police and PBI Chief Md. Tawfiq Mahbub Chowdhury.
Despite repeated public outcry, the investigation continues to drag on, drawing criticism from media professionals, rights activists, and the victims’ families, who demand justice without further delay.
LND/BG
