High Court Questions Delay in Sagar-Runi Murder Probe, Sets Final 6-Month Deadline

The High Court has voiced strong dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in concluding the investigation into the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, questioning how many more years it will take to finalize the probe. The court issued a final six-month deadline to the high-level taskforce, stating that no further extensions will be granted.

During a hearing on Thursday, the bench of Justice Fatema Nazib and Justice Fatema Anwar remarked, "Two people have been murdered, and we still don’t know who killed them. The entire nation is watching this case."

Addressing Azizul Haq, a Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) official representing the taskforce, the court demanded, "What percentage of the Sagar-Runi murder investigation is complete? Inform us. We cannot grant more time. This is the final extension—six months."

Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, representing the family, told the court, "The prolonged delay in this investigation has left us unable to face the public. Everyone asks when it will conclude. It should be resolved under this interim government. With elections in February, a new political government might further delay the case."

Additional Attorney General Md. Arshad-ur Rouf, representing the state, said, "Progress has been made in the Sagar-Runi murder investigation. A progress report has been submitted to the Registrar’s office. The investigation report can be filed within the given time." The court then ordered the taskforce to submit the report within six months.

This is not the first extension granted in this long-drawn case, as the court had previously allowed additional time.

On 23 October last year, following a High Court directive, a four-member high-level taskforce was formed, led by the PBI chief, to investigate the case. The committee includes representatives from the police (not below Additional DIG rank), CID, and RAB.

On 17 October last year, the Public Security Division of the Home Ministry issued a notification forming the taskforce.

On 30 September last year, the High Court ordered the creation of a high-powered taskforce to complete the investigation within six months, instructing the Home Ministry to implement it with experienced investigators from various forces.

The order was issued by a bench comprising Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbubul Islam during a hearing on the state’s appeal.

Additional Attorney General Arshad-ur Rouf and Additional Attorney General Barrister Aneek R Haq represented the state, while Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir appeared for the plaintiff and Advocate Manzil Morshed for the writ petitioner.

Previously, the state filed a supplementary application to remove RAB from the investigation.

On 29 September, Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir, a renowned criminal law expert, was appointed as the counsel for this high-profile case.