12 years of Sagar-Runi murder: Endless wait for justice

Although 12 years have passed since the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, law enforcement agencies have yet to make significant progress in the investigation or reveal the motive behind the crime. 

Meanwhile, the submission date for the investigation report of this case has been postponed for the 105th time on January 23, causing anger and frustration among the victims' families.

The relatives allege that the case proceedings are stuck due to the lack of goodwill from the authorities. They point out that even changing the investigation agency will not yield results if the government is not "sincere" in its efforts.

The investigation report was initially scheduled to be submitted to the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shafi Uddin on January 23. 

However, as the report from the investigation agency, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), was not ready, the court rescheduled the date to February 27. 

The journalist couple's family members also claim that the investigation agency's failure is evident in the repeated delays. 

What the families say

Sagar Sarowar's mother, Saleha Monir, has expressed anger over the delay in her son's murder case. 

She said: "I still do not know who killed my son. I will keep seeking justice until my last breath. I have not even visited his grave because I promised myself that I would visit his grave only after seeing his killers face trial. If I die before that happens, I will still not visit his grave without justice being served."

She added: "I never thought my son would die this way, especially with the case dragging on so long. The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) knows everything. They should either submit their report or make it public. It makes no sense to keep delaying. RAB has solved complex cases before, but not this one, even after 12 years. Other murder cases have been solved, so I cannot understand why my son's case has not been solved yet. I demand justice and exemplary punishment for his killers."

Naushad Alam Roman, brother of Mehrun Runi, the plaintiff in the case, said: "For 12 years, investigators have repeatedly asked for more time to submit their report, which is disgraceful and creates a harmful practice of delays. Despite the investigation team being considered elite, they have failed to make progress in this high-profile case, even after requesting extensions 105 times. We simply want the truth to be revealed and for the real killers to be strictly punished under Bangladeshi law."

What lawyers say

Dhaka Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Abdullah Abu said: "The Sagar-Runi murder case is significant and it has been years without a report submission. There is much discussion around it. The case needs a quick resolution. Once we receive the report, we will aim to accelerate the trial."

Dhaka Judge Court's lawer Ehsanul Haque Samaji said: "The law allows 120 working days for a case investigation but it is not mandatory to finish the case within this timeframe. That does not mean it will continue for years. The court should monitor the investigation's progress more closely. It can call in the investigation officer to check if there is an unnecessary delay and take action if needed. The court can also set a new deadline for submitting the investigation report."

On the other hand, Defence Lawyer Mohammad Abu Sayeed Siddique (Tipu) said: “Both the state and the accused are facing financial loss due to the postponement of the case investigation report. We hope that the case charge sheet will be filed soon. The real killers should come out, innocent people should also be spared. We expect the investigation officer to try his best and submit the report quickly.”

The murders and the case

Sagar Sarwar, the then news editor of Maasranga TV, and his wife Meherun Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were murdered at their rented apartment at Paschim Razabazar in the capital in the presence of their minor son Mahir Sarowar Megh on February 11, 2012.

Their son, Megh, who was five-year-old at that time, was in his room when his parents were being murdered.

The double murder sparked a nationwide outcry, particularly among journalists, who have been demanding justice for the slain couple since then.

Top officials of the government as well as law enforcement agencies visited the couple’s residence, and their child Megh, and assured their families of speedy justice. 

The then home minister Sahara Khatun vowed to bring the killers to justice within 48 hours.

The case proceedings

The case was initially investigated by the Detective Branch (DB) of police but was transferred to RAB on April 18, 2012, when the detectives admitted to their failure to unearth the motives behind the gruesome murder. But RAB also could not make any visible headway into finding the motive or the culprits.  

RAB investigators repeatedly said that they were working and would take appropriate legal steps when the investigators sought time in court. The Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate's Court has always accepted the agency's time pleas.

On February 2, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq said the fixation of the exact time limit for submitting the investigation report of the most sensational Sagar-Runi murder case is not possible.

The minister said even if it takes 50 years to catch those who have committed this crime, they will catch the culprits.