HC Extends Sagar-Runi Murder Probe by Six Months

The High Court has granted a six-month extension to a high-powered task force investigating the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, directing it to complete and submit its report within the new deadline.

The bench of Justice Fatema Najib and Justice Saiful Karim issued the order on Sunday after hearing arguments from both sides, including lawyers Mohammad Shishir Manir and Manzill Murshid.

During the hearing, the court was informed that a progress report had already been submitted. Attorney General Md Ruhul Kuddus Kazal later requested additional time to finalise the investigation, citing the need for a comprehensive report. The court approved the request.

The Attorney General described the failure to submit a charge sheet even after 14 years as deeply painful.

Earlier, the court had already granted multiple extensions to the task force, which was formed following a directive issued in September 2024 to expedite the long-pending investigation.

A high-powered task force led by the head of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was subsequently formed in October 2024 to re-examine the case.

Sagar, then news editor at Maasranga TV, and Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were killed in their rented apartment in Dhaka’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012. Their young son was present in the home at the time of the incident.

Following the murder, a case was filed by Runi’s brother with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Despite repeated court directives, the investigation has yet to produce a final charge sheet, with the latest hearing marking the 125th adjournment of the report submission date.