A Dhaka court has set May 21 as the new deadline for submitting the probe report in the high-profile murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi. 

This marks the 117th extension of the submission deadline.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate MA Azharul Islam passed the order today, granting the prosecution's request for more time as the investigation agency failed to submit the report as scheduled.

The couple was brutally murdered in their rented apartment in West Rajabazar, Dhaka, on February 11, 2012, in the presence of their then four-year-old son, Mahir Sarwar Megh. 

A murder case was filed by Runi’s brother, Nawser Alam, at the Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

Initially, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) was tasked with the investigation. The case was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), which has failed to submit its report after being granted time on 111 occasions over the past 12 years.

In response to the prolonged delays, the High Court directed the Ministry of Home Affairs on September 30, 2024, to form a high-powered task force to take over the investigation, removing RAB from the case. 

Subsequently, on October 23, 2024, the government formed a four-member task force, led by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), to investigate the double murder. The task force was given six months to submit its findings.

The task force also includes senior representatives from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and RAB, though their names have not been disclosed. 

The High Court's full order, released on October 16, 2024, formalized the shift in responsibility from RAB to the new task force.

BDST: 1447 HRS, April 15, 2025
SMS