9 years of Sagar-Runi murder: reality belies rhetoric

Nine years have passed since the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi but the investigation is yet to unravel the mystery behind the homicide. 

The 48 hours for the revelation of the murder mystery pronounced by the then home minister and the statements of investigation agencies – 'giving utmost importance to the investigation' or 'progress in the investigation' – have not ended in nine years.

"We are very close to the investigation," the investigating officers of the case have been making the same statement for the last nine years. 

The relatives and family members of the slain Sagar-Runi have raised the question over the professionalism of the investigating agencies. 

"The investigation authorities do not appear to be serious about finding out the mystery behind the murder and that is why no progress has so far been made," said Runi's brother, Nowsher Ali Roman, who filed a case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station the day after the murder. 

He added that the statements of the authorities concerned belie the reality. 

One after another investigation officers have been transferred from one place to another for nine long years but the accused have not yet been identified. 

RAB is yet to submit the report. On the contrary, the date for submission of the probe report has been postponed 78 times -- very rare in Bangladesh criminal justice system. 

In such a reality, the relatives of the slain journalist couple said they have given up hope for justice. 

On 11 February 2012, Sagar Sarwar, then news editor of Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, senior reporter of ATN Bangla, were murdered in their rented apartment in the capital's West Rajabazar area. 

Their four-and-a-half-year-old son Mahir Sarwar Megh was at home at the time of murder, which sparked a huge outcry across the country. 

The case was first investigated by a sub-inspector (SI) of the police station. 

On 16 February, the case was transferred to Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB). They also admitted failure before the High Court 62 days after receiving the responsibility of investigation. 

RAB had been assigned for investigation into the case by the court and the elite force has since been investigating the case. 

As part of the investigation, Sagar-Runi's body had been exhumed from their grave for the examination of viscera. 

The viscera test report states that no toxins or drugs were used before their deaths. 

They died of stab wounds and excessive-bleeding, added the report.

Lt Col Ashik Billah, director (legal and media wing) of the Rapid Action Battalion, termed the Sagar-Runi murder case a challenging one.

"We are trying to submit the probe report as soon as possible," he said.