Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Water Resources, has reaffirmed that the government is fully committed to prioritizing the swift and fair resolution of the Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case.
Speaking at the Sagar-Runi Human Rights Photo Award exhibition at the Nalinikanta Bhattasali Auditorium of the National Museum on Tuesday evening, Rizwana responded to several questions from journalists.
She stressed that the case remains one of the government’s highest priorities, with law enforcement agencies working diligently to submit the investigation report as quickly as possible.
“The perpetrators of this brutal murder must be brought to justice. There is no reason for the case to remain unresolved,” she said.
“While past complexities may have slowed progress, the government is no longer interfering with the investigation. Once the necessary evidence is collected, the trial should move forward without delay.”
Rizwana expressed concern over the prolonged delay in submitting the investigation report, noting that multiple extensions have been requested but no conclusive report has yet been submitted.
"This has raised serious doubts. The victims’ families have suffered for years. Justice must prevail—not only to give them closure but to ensure such heinous crimes are prevented in the future."
The exhibition was attended by Mahir Sarwar Megh, the only son of Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, as well as their relatives, friends, and colleagues. Human rights activists, journalists, photographers, and others from various professional backgrounds also participated.
Before addressing the gathering, Rizwana visited the exhibition, reflecting on the lives and contributions of Sagar and Runi.
The murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar, the News Editor of Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, Senior Reporter of ATN Bangla, occurred on the night of February 11, 2012, in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka.
Their young son, Mahir Sarowar Megh, who was just five years old at the time, was in the home during the incident. Naosher Ali Roman, Runi's brother, filed a case at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station following the murders.
