The High Court on Thursday made an observation that the achievements and reputation of the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) would suffer if it fails to complete the investigation of journalist couple Sagor-Runi murder case.
The High Court bench of Justices M Enayetur Rahim and Md Mostafizur Rahman came up with the observation while delivering its verdict on a petition filed by Tanvir Rahman, an accused in the case who is now on bail.
In its observation, the bench expressed disappointment that the elite anti-crime force could not unveil the real picture of the killing even after investigating the case for several years.
On February 12, 2012, Maasranga Television News Editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla Senior Reporter Meherun Runi were stabbed to death inside the bedroom of their apartment in Dhaka’s West Razabazar area.
The HC bench also observed that the glorious achievements of the elite force in eradicating militant outfits, terrorism, drug, illegal arms and others would be overlooked if they fail to bring the real culprits in the murder case to justice by completing the investigation into the case.
After giving exemption to Tanvir from appearing before the court in person, the HC bench asked the investigation officer of the case to submit the investigation report through an affidavit by March 4 on the part of Tanvir on whether he was involved into the murder or not.
Earlier on November 11, the same bench of the HC expressed disappointment over slow progress of investigation into the much-talked-about journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi murder case.
The HC bench also wanted to know from the investigation officer (IO) of the case, Khondker Shafiqul Alam, also an additional superintendent of RAB, about the progress regarding the investigation of the murder mystery.
The court also fixed November 14 for passing an order on the petition filed by Tanvir, an accused in the case, seeking cancellation of the case.
The court also issued a rule asking the government to explain in two weeks as to why the proceedings of the case against Tanvir should not be quashed.
Advocate Fouzia Karim Firoz stood for the petitioner while Deputy Attorney General Mohammad Sarwar Hossain represented the state.
On October 1, a Dhaka court directed RAB to submit a probe report on November 14. The investigation authority has delayed submitting the progress report of their investigation 60 times but failed to make any headway.
During the probe, investigators interrogated a total of 158 people, including 27 journalists, and recorded statements of Mahir Sarwar Megh, the only son of the slain couple.
Law enforcers have so far arrested eight people, including Tanvir, in connection with the murder case.
