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June 19, 2025 – Bangladesh –
Thirteen years after the brutal double murder of Bangladeshi journalists Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, justice remains out of reach. The couple—both prominent reporters—were stabbed to death in their Dhaka apartment on February 11, 2012, while their five-year-old son slept in the next room. Despite multiple arrests and ongoing investigations, no one has been convicted, and the motive behind their killings remains unknown.
Initially handled by local police, the investigation was later transferred to the Detective Branch, then to the elite Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and most recently, to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) under court orders. Over the years, the case has seen more than 116 extensions for filing a final report. The most recent deadline passed in May 2025 with no substantive update.
Family members and journalists have repeatedly alleged political interference. Runi’s brother and Sagar’s mother both expressed frustration and despair over the years of unanswered questions. They believe influential figures may be shielding the perpetrators. These suspicions are echoed by journalists’ unions and press freedom advocates, who accuse the state of allowing a culture of impunity to flourish.
The failure to solve the case has sparked years of protests and condemnation. Journalists across Bangladesh have consistently demanded transparency, accountability, and the release of the investigation report. In 2017, demonstrations were even held in Germany to highlight the international concern over the case. The United Nations has also expressed concern about the broader issue of impunity in journalist killings in Bangladesh.
Though the PBI claims to have interrogated over 50 individuals, including former intelligence officials and political figures, no clear progress has been made. Many fear the case is being intentionally buried.
As the 13th anniversary passes, the demand for justice grows louder. For Sagar and Runi’s family, and Bangladesh’s press community, the unsolved murder stands as a painful reminder of the risks journalists face—and the urgent need for institutional accountability and press freedom protections.
Reference –
https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/news/13-years-justice-remains-elusive-3821181
