Sagar-Runi murder case: 13 years on, PBI hunts for grill-cutting burglars

A decade and three years have passed, yet investigators remain locked in the mystery of the widely-discussed Sagar-Runi murder case. 

Initially handled by local police, the investigation was later taken over by the Detective Branch, the Criminal Investigation Department and finally the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).

However, the results have been disappointing. The investigation has been delayed a staggering 115 times in court. Despite multiple extensions, RAB has failed to submit its report after seeking 111 extensions over the past 13 years.

The journalist couple were brutally murdered in their rented flat in Dhaka's West Rajabazar on 11 February 2012, in the presence of their four-year-old son Mahir Sarwar Megh.

PBI focus on 'grill-cutting burglars'

The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), a specialised unit often referred to as Bangladesh's version of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is now searching for "grill-cutting burglars" who broke into homes in Dhaka in 2012, according to official sources. 

In recent weeks, the PBI interrogated two former security officials: Major Gen (retd) Ziaul Ahsan, former director general of the National Telecommunication Monitoring Center, and Mashiur Rahman, the former deputy commissioner of the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Lalbagh division.

Azizul Haque, the investigation officer (IO) and PBI Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP), later informed the court that significant information had been obtained during these interrogations.

"The PBI has information suggesting that Ziaul and Mashiur were involved in the initial stage of the investigation," court sources quoted the IO's plea. 

"Ziaul Ahsan was additional director general (operations) of RAB at the time, and Mashiur Rahman was the DC of DB Police."

PBI Chief Mostafa Kamal told The Business Standard on Monday that the PBI was recently assigned the investigation.

"We are focusing on every angle and clue surrounding this sensational murder. Although previous agencies were given the task, we are determined to uncover the mystery. We are analysing all aspects – from burglary to premeditated murder," he added.

When asked about progress, Mostafa Kamal said, "I cannot share details, but we remain hopeful about positive developments in the case."

New investigation focuses on 9 possible motives

The PBI has expanded the investigation to include nine potential motives for the murder. 

According to sources at the PBI headquarters, no new arrests have been made, but a task force has been created to examine these angles. 

The nine aspects under investigation include theft, family or marital disputes, professional issues, past enmity, financial problems, retention of critical information, love-related matters, disgruntlement over media coverage and any other relevant factors. Investigators have been instructed to probe these angles thoroughly.

As part of the investigation, 62 individuals believed to be either directly or indirectly connected to the case or to have had relationships with Sagar and Runi have been questioned. 

Among them are Ziaul Ahsan, Mashiur Rahman, journalist leader Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, ATN Bangla Chairman Mahfuzur Rahman, his brother Maksudur Rahman, journalist J.E. Mamun and several others, including the couple's only son Megh, Runi's brother and sister-in-law and the landlord of the couple's rented house.

While discussions have taken place with these individuals, no conclusive evidence has been found so far. 

Some suspects could not be reached as they were incarcerated, while others did not respond to calls.

J.E. Mamun, a senior journalist at ATN News at the time, said, "The task force spoke with me and many of Sagar and Runi's colleagues. Since I was Runi's direct superior, they questioned me. This does not imply that we are suspects; they just asked about the dynamics in the office, such as who had good or bad relations with Runi."

PBI interrogates Mahfuzur Rahman

On 13 January, the PBI interrogated journalist and media leader Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, while Mahfuzur Rahman, chairman of ATN Bangla, was questioned on 31 December at the PBI office in Dhaka's Dhanmondi.

The PBI has also been in discussions with former inspector general of police (IGP) Hasan Mahmud Khandaker, who served from 2010 to 2014, along with other key investigators, officers, witnesses and members of the victim's family.

Runi's brother Nowsher Roman expressed renewed hope for justice, noting that under the previous government, efforts were made to suppress the investigation. 

With the new government and investigation team in place, there is optimism for progress, although much depends on the final report, he said.

Sagar's mother struggles with grief every February

Sagar's mother Saleha Munir spoke of her grief, revealing that February is particularly difficult for her. Despite enduring 13 years of heartache, she still has not received answers regarding her son's and daughter-in-law's murder, let alone the identification of the killer. 

She expressed her deep frustration, saying, "This has to be resolved. It can't remain unsolved. I can't stay well this month, every year it's the same. I don't even want to say this anymore."