The High Court has expressed dissatisfaction over the prolonged delay in the investigation into the much-discussed murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
The court remarked that the failure to conclude the investigation of this case, even after 12 years, is not only unfortunate for the family but for the entire nation. “It is also a matter of sorrow for the judiciary.”
During the hearing of a state petition on Monday, a High Court bench consisting of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Muhammad Mahbub Ul Islam made the statement.
Additional Attorney General Arshadur Rauf and Barrister Aneek R Haque represented the state, while Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir represented the plaintiff, and Advocate Manzill Murshid appeared for the writ petitioner.
After the hearing, the High Court directed the formation of a high-powered task force to investigate the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
The home ministry was ordered to implement the directive, and the task force is to be composed of experienced investigators from different agencies. The court further instructed that the task force submit its investigation report within six months.
The High Court added: "We hope justice will be ensured this time, and the six-month timeframe given for the investigation truly means six months."
On September 29, Supreme Court Advocate Mohammad Shishir Monir was appointed to the case by the plaintiff. Nausher Roman, the plaintiff, informed journalists of this appointment.
Regarding the appointment, lawyer Shishir Monir said: "We will begin working on uncovering the mystery behind the Sagar-Runi murders. As part of this, we will meet with the investigation officers soon and continue the legal battle in both lower and higher courts to solve the case."
So far, the court has extended the deadline for submitting the investigation report 113 times. The next hearing is scheduled for October 15.
To recap, on the night of February 11, 2012, journalist couple Sagar Sarowar, news editor of Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were brutally murdered in their rented apartment in the capital’s West Rajabazar.
