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January 15, 2026 – Bangladesh –
Journalist Manik Chandra Saha, a prominent Bangladeshi reporter and Ekushey Padak recipient, continues to be remembered more than two decades after his assassination, as calls intensify for a fresh examination of the circumstances surrounding his death. On January 15, 2004, Saha was killed in a bomb attack near the Khulna Press Club, an act that shocked the journalist community and sparked demands for justice that persist to this day.
At memorial events marking Saha’s 22nd death anniversary in Khulna and the capital Dhaka, journalist leaders and civic activists reiterated their conviction that the current legal outcome has not delivered full accountability. The Khulna Journalists Union (KUJ) and the Khulna Press Club organised gatherings where speakers criticised the state’s handling of the case, expressing frustration that planners, financiers, and key figures behind the murder remain unidentified more than 22 years later. They described the existing verdict as incomplete and argued that the legal process failed to unearth the masterminds of the attack.
During these commemorations, voices from across the journalist community—including representatives of the Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ)—urged authorities to initiate a new and impartial investigation to bring all responsible parties to justice. Many of the participants emphasised the need for transparency about the motive behind Saha’s killing and accountability for those who ordered and financed the attack. Floral tributes were laid at memorials in Khulna, and representatives from professional and cultural organisations attended in support of the renewed demand for justice.
The original case resulted in a 2016 conviction in which nine accused were sentenced to life imprisonment for their involvement in the bombing, but family members and colleagues rejected the verdict, citing its failure to address the full chain of responsibility, particularly the alleged masterminds. Saha’s career spanned several outlets, including The Daily Sangbad, New Age, and the BBC Bangla Service, and he was also known for his leadership roles, such as serving as president of the Khulna Press Club.
Saha’s death has long symbolised the broader challenges faced by journalists in Bangladesh, where unresolved murder cases have fuelled concerns about impunity and the lack of comprehensive investigations into crimes against media professionals. The renewed calls for reinvestigation reflect ongoing frustration within the press community that justice has remained elusive despite repeated demands from colleagues, civil society, and commemorative gatherings.
Reference –
https://www.thedailystar.net/city/reinvestigate-manik-saha-murder-case-1519501
