Taskforce to probe Sagar-Runi murder case

The High Court has removed the Rapid Action Battalion- RAB from the investigation into the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Nahar Runi. In its place, the court has transferred the probe to a high-powered taskforce, which is to submit its report on the case within six months.

The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam came up with the order on Monday. Advocate Shishir Manir, the counsel to the plaintiff, represented the petition in court while Additional Attorney General Anik R Haque represented the state.

"The RAB has not been able to deliver an investigation report in this case in 12 years. The court called it 'disgraceful'."

"The RAB have now been removed from the investigation and a high-powered taskforce has been formed and instructed to submit their report within the next six months. The deadline has been fixed for Apr 6 next year." On Sunday, Nowsher Roman, Runi's brother and the plaintiff in the case, said that Supreme Court Advocate Manir had been appointed to represent his interests in the case.

On Feb 12, 2012, Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar and ATN Bangla Senior Reporter Runi were stabbed to death in the bedroom of their rented flat in Dhaka's Rajabazar. Their only son, Mahir Sarwar Megh [5-year-old then] was at home at the time.

Runi's brother Roman filed the case with Sher-E-Bangla Nagar Police Station over the incident.

The investigation was initiated by the police station after filing of the case. Three days later, the case was transferred to the police. Later, the case was taken over by RAB on Apr 18, 2012.

The then home minister had pledged the nation to reveal the killers' secrets within 48 hours after the murder, but the truth has yet to see the light of day in over a decade.