Nearly 15 years have passed since the brutal murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, but the investigation into the case remains incomplete. Despite the court setting 131 deadlines for submission of the investigation report, investigators have yet to submit it. November 5 has been fixed as the 132nd deadline.
Meanwhile, Saleha Monir, the 74-year-old mother of Sagar Sarowar, has only one wish as she approaches the final stage of her life: to witness justice for the murder of her son and daughter-in-law before she dies.
Recalling the loss of her son and daughter-in-law, Saleha Monir breaks down in tears. She questions why the mystery surrounding the murders has remained unresolved for so many years.
“What mother would not seek justice for her murdered child? The incident was quite clear. So many years have passed, yet no one has been able to uncover anything,” she said.
Speaking over the phone in an emotional voice, she added, “My only hope is that I can see justice while I am still alive.”
Saleha Monir said she had seen media reports that the task force had been granted another six months to complete the investigation. However, no one from the task force had contacted her. She said officials from the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) had contacted her earlier.
Meanwhile, Nausher Alam Roman, brother of Meherun Runi and plaintiff in the case, has expressed frustration over the prolonged investigation. He described repeated requests for more time as disappointing.
“The task force’s repeated requests for six-month extensions are nothing but a tactic to delay the investigation. This shows that they have made no meaningful progress,” Roman said.
However, he considers a recent High Court decision a positive development. Under the decision, the court has summoned Tanvir Hasan Zoha, a prosecutor of the International Crimes Tribunal (ICT), and the head of the task force.
Roman believes effective coordination between the prosecutor and the investigation team is essential. He said the authorities should be held accountable for explaining how far the investigation has progressed based on the information available to the prosecutor.
Investigation Remains Incomplete After Nearly 15 Years
Sagar Sarowar was the news editor of Maasranga Television, while his wife, Meherun Runi, was a senior reporter at ATN Bangla. On February 11, 2012, the couple were murdered inside their rented apartment in the capital’s West Rajabazar area.
Their only child, Mahir Sarowar Megh, was just five years old at the time of the incident.
Eight people have been arrested in connection with the case. They are Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, Rafiqul Islam, Bokul Mia, Masum Mintu, Palash Rudra Pal, Anamul Haque alias Humayun Kabir, and Tanvir Rahman Khan.
Among them, Tanvir and Mintu are currently out on bail, while Palash remains absconding. The other accused are in jail.
A police official said Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Ariful Islam fixed November 5 as the next date for submission of the investigation report on September 30.
Investigation Agency Changed Three Times
After the case was filed with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station on February 12, 2012, the local police initially took charge of the investigation. Three days later, on February 16, the case was transferred to the Detective Branch (DB) of police. The DB investigated the case until April 18 of that year.
In April 2012, the investigation was handed over to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The force continued investigating until November 3, 2024. The force is currently known as the Special Response Battalion (SRB).
Following a High Court directive, a four-member task force was formed on October 23, 2024, to investigate the case. The head of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was appointed as its convener. The PBI formally took over the investigation on November 4 of the same year.
How Much Progress Has the New Investigation Made?
On October 19, the task force submitted a 27-page progress report to the Registrar General of the Supreme Court.
The report, signed by PBI Additional Superintendent of Police and investigation officer Azizul Haque, stated that previous investigators had recorded statements from 167 witnesses. After taking charge, the task force questioned another 90 people, while statements from 24 of them were formally recorded.
The report also mentioned that digital evidence and information related to former army officer Ziaul Ahsan and a cultural personality were preserved at the International Crimes Tribunal. Letters were sent to Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam and Prosecutor Tanvir Hasan Zoha requesting the transfer of those materials for investigative purposes. However, the information had not been received by the time the report was submitted.
Despite repeated changes in investigation agencies, numerous deadline extensions and fresh efforts to collect evidence, the investigation remains unfinished. As a result, there is still no clear answer to the question of when the trial in the Sagar-Runi murder case will begin.
While two families continue to wait for justice, Saleha Monir, weakened by age, is running out of time. Her heartfelt wish—to witness justice for the murder of her son and daughter-in-law—remains unfulfilled.
