Sagar-Runi murder: 'Court is dissatisfied with your progress, you must make every effort,' judge tells investigator
So far, the deadline for the report has been extended 121 times
Hifglights
- Court expressed dissatisfaction with probe progress
- Judge told investigator: "You must make every effort"
- PBI official said mixed DNA found but unidentified
- Probe report deadline extended to 30 November
- Case report dates postponed 121 times since 2012
A Dhaka court has expressed dissatisfaction over the slow progress in the investigation into the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, instructing the investigating officer to make an "all-out effort" in completing the probe.
Additional Superintendent of Police Md Azizul Haque of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), who is leading the investigation, appeared before the Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Md Minhajur Rahman's court today (14 September).
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The hearing on the progress of the case began at 12:10pm.
At the hearing, the judge first asked the officer, "Are you with the CID?" Azizul Haque replied, "No sir, I am with the PBI."
The judge then asked, "How far has the investigation in this case progressed?"
In response, the investigating officer said, "As per the directives of the High Court, a high-powered task force began the probe. Later, I was assigned responsibility. I have spoken with journalists related to the case, neighbours, relatives, and DNA experts, from which many important details have emerged."
"We have obtained information on mixed DNA from two individuals, but identification has not been possible. This is why the submission of the investigation report is being delayed. Although the last deadline has already passed, we sought more time from the High Court."
After hearing this, the judge observed, "From what I understand, the previous investigating officer also said the same thing. The court is dissatisfied with your progress. You must make every effort."
The judge then ordered submission of the next report by 30 November.
So far, the deadline for the report has been extended 121 times.
Earlier, on 11 August, the same court had directed the investigating officer to appear in person to explain the progress of the case.
Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga Television, and his wife Meherun Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were murdered at their rented flat in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, on 11 February 2012. Their four-and-a-half-year-old son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, was at home at the time.
Runi's brother, Naosher Alam Roman, later filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
The accused in the case include Rafiqul Islam, Bokul Mia, Masum Mintu, Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, security guards of the couple's residence Polash Rudra Pal and Enayet Ahmed, and their 'friend' Tanvir Rahman Khan.
Among them, Tanvir and Palash are out on bail, while the others remain in custody.
Over the years, the case has changed hands multiple times. Initially investigated by Sher-e-Bangla Nagar police, it was later transferred to Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch, then to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
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On 30 September last year, the High Court transferred responsibility from RAB to a high-powered task force formed by the Home Ministry. The four-member task force is headed by the PBI chief.
During the order, the High Court bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam observed, "We hope justice will finally be ensured this time, and that the six months given for investigation will mean six months."
The court previously fixed 6 April for further orders in the case.
