Sagar-Runi murder: Probe deadline extended for 127th time, new date 22 July
PBI again failed to submit the investigation report.
A Dhaka court has extended the deadline for submitting the investigation report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi for the 127th time, fixing 22 July as the next date.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam set the new date after the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) failed to submit the report due today (18 June), Sub-Inspector Rafiqul Islam of the Dhaka Metropolitan Police prosecution division confirmed.
The journalist couple was killed at their rented flat in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, on 11 February 2012, in the presence of their four-year-old son Mahir Sarwar Megh. Runi's brother Nawser Alam filed the case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station the following day.
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Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station initially investigated the case before it was transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and later to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
After RAB failed to submit the investigation report despite receiving 111 extensions over 12 years, the High Court on 30 September 2024 ordered the Ministry of Home Affairs to form a high-powered task force, relieving RAB of responsibility for the probe.
On 23 October 2024, the home ministry formed a four-member task force led by the PBI chief to investigate the case and submit its findings within six months.
On 26 April this year, the High Court granted the task force another six months to complete the investigation and submit its report.
