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Dhaka, May 3, 2025 : The high-profile murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, which shocked Bangladesh in 2012, was not a suicide but a planned killing involving two individuals, according to a recent taskforce report. However, due to unclear DNA evidence, the perpetrators remain unidentified.
The report, submitted to the High Court by a taskforce formed under court orders, revealed critical details about the incident. The investigation ruled out domestic disputes, theft, or professional rivalry as motives for the murder. No sedatives or toxic substances were found in the victims’ viscera reports. The couple was killed using a knife and cleaver from their kitchen, and both remained alive for some time after sustaining injuries.
The taskforce established that the murders took place between 3 AM and 5 AM on February 11, 2012. DNA analysis indicates Sagar was attacked first, followed by Runi. The couple was in bed with their son, Megh, before the attack. The report suggests Sagar’s hands and feet were tied to prevent resistance, while Runi, perceived as less of a threat, was not restrained. Blood pattern analysis indicates Runi died first, though scientific analysis suggests Sagar succumbed later.
Four DNA samples were found at the scene—three male and one female. Two belonged to Sagar and Runi, but the other two could not be identified, leaving the motive and culprits unclear. The taskforce noted that critical evidence was compromised due to the presence of media personnel and locals at the crime scene before investigators arrived between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM. A broken section of the kitchen balcony, measuring 14.5 inches and 8.5 inches, was newly damaged, potentially allowing entry or exit, though no complete footprints were recovered.
The taskforce, collaborating with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), stated that identifying DNA becomes challenging when samples from multiple individuals are mixed. With five to six DNA profiles detected, identification was not possible. Consequently, the taskforce requested additional time for the investigation.
Following the report’s submission, the High Court, presided over by Justices Fatema Najib and Shikdar Mahmudur Raji, granted an additional six months for the investigation. Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rouf represented the state, while Advocate Shishir Monir appeared for the writ petitioner.
The taskforce, formed on October 23, 2024, following a High Court directive, is led by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) chief and includes representatives from the police (at least Additional DIG rank), CID, and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The Home Ministry’s Public Security Division issued a notification for the taskforce on October 17, 2024, after the court ordered RAB’s removal from the investigation on September 30, 2024, citing lack of progress.
The brutal murder of Sagar Sarowar, a news editor at Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, sparked widespread outrage and demands for justice. Despite 13 years and 118 delays in submitting the investigation report, the case remains unresolved, underscoring the challenges in delivering justice in this high-profile case.
AI/MR
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