Adv Shishir Manir, 8 others to represent state in Sagar-Runi murder case

A Dhaka court has granted the appointment of nine lawyers, including Supreme Court Advocate Shishir Manir, to represent the state in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi in 2012.

The court of Dhaka Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Md Mahbubul Haque gave the order on Tuesday (1 October).

Speaking to reporters, Advocate Shishir Manir said the next hearing for the case is slated for 15 October.

Besides Shishir, the other lawyers are - Mujahidul Islam, Mizanul Haque, Mostafa Jamal, Abu Rasel, Mohiuddin, Abdullah Al Farooq, Iqbal Hossain, and Muttakin Hossain.

Runi's brother Nowsher Ali, the plaintiff in the case, filed an application for appointing the lawyers in court yesterday. 

Later, the court fixed a date for hearing the matter in his presence.

According to the application, the case has been under investigation for 12 years but no investigation report has been submitted. 

Even after such a long time, there hasn't been any progress. 

In the interests of speedy disposal of the case and justice, the plaintiff must appoint a lawyer at his own expense to assist the state prosecutor.

On 30 September, the High Court removed the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) from the investigation into the murder case. 

It also directed the home ministry to form a high-powered task force to investigate the case and ordered it to submit the investigation report in six months.

The HC bench termed the failure to complete the investigation as shocking.

In court today, the hearing on behalf of the state was conducted by Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rauf and Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik R Haque. 

Advocate Mohammad Shishir Manir represented the plaintiff, while Advocate Manzill Murshed argued on behalf of the writ.

Advocate Shishir Manir said, "We will begin working on uncovering the mystery behind the Sagar-Runi murder. As part of this, we will meet with the investigators very soon. Simultaneously, we will engage in legal battles in both the lower and higher courts to uncover the truth behind the murder."

Sagar Sarwar, news editor of Maasranga Television, and his wife Mehrun Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were murdered on 11 February 2012 in their house in West Rajabazar of the capital. 

As of 30 June, the time of submission of the investigation report of the murder case has been delayed 111 times.

From the assurance of justice within 48 hours by then-home minister to the daunting possibility of a 50-year investigation period mentioned by the incumbent law minister, the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi continues to be an unresolved mystery even after 12 years.

Initially, after the shocking murders of the journalist couple in their Dhaka apartment on 11 February 2012, Sahara Khatun, the home minister at the time, committed to apprehending the perpetrators within 48 hours.

The investigation agencies said they were "giving utmost importance to the investigation."

The RAB sought over 105 extensions to submit its findings to the court. 

Earlier on 2 July, the HC said the delays in the Sagar-Runi probe were a continuous mockery of the criminal justice system.