Investigators probing an enforced disappearance case have stumbled upon new clues in the long-unsolved murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, bringing former military officer Ziaul Ahsan and cultural personality Rokeya Prachy into a new line of inquiry.

The information emerged while investigators at the International Crimes Tribunal were examining an enforced disappearance case linked to Ziaul Ahsan, a controversial military officer during the ousted Awami League government, according to sources familiar with the investigation.

Investigators analysed the call detail records (CDR) of a mobile phone as part of that probe and traced an army sergeant.

The sergeant was subsequently placed under surveillance and questioned. His interrogation unexpectedly produced information about the Sagar-Runi murders, opening a new avenue in a case that has remained unresolved for more than 14 years.

An ICT investigator told Daily Waadaa that Ziaul Ahsan had summoned the sergeant shortly before the journalist couple were killed.

“On February 9, 2012, exactly two days (February 11) before the Sagar-Runi murder, former Major (retd) Ziaul Ahsan summoned the sergeant. Ziaul Ahsan warned him, saying, ‘Something big may happen within the next two days. Be prepared,’” the investigator said.

According to the investigator, on that very day, Ziaul instructed the sergeant to collect two discs from Rokeya Prachy.

The sergeant subsequently collected the two discs from her as instructed, the investigator said, adding that Ziaul and Prachy were in regular contact.

Investigators are now examining whether the discs had any connection to the motive behind the killings.

According to information uncovered during the probe, two laptops belonging to Sagar and Runi and Sagar’s mobile phone disappeared following the murders.

Runi’s mobile phone and a significant quantity of gold jewellery, however, were left untouched at the apartment.

Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam publicly confirmed on Sunday that investigators had found a possible connection between a “cultural personality” and the Sagar-Runi case while examining CDR data in an unrelated investigation.

“What I can say is that, from our review of the CDR, we have found a connection between a 'cultural personality' and the Sagar-Runi incident,” Aminul told a press conference.

“The information we have obtained is under our close scrutiny,” he added.

Aminul said the Sagar-Runi case is currently being investigated by the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) and that the tribunal authorities would provide the PBI investigating officer with reliable information and assistance obtained during their own investigation.

The prosecution also clarified that the Sagar-Runi killings constitute an individual murder case and therefore do not fall under the jurisdiction of the International Crimes Tribunal.

Any trial would instead take place before the relevant sessions court under the country's existing criminal laws.

Sagar Sarowar, news editor at Maasranga Television, and his wife Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were found murdered in their rented apartment in the capital’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012.

Runi’s brother, Nowsher Alam Roman, subsequently filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station, naming eight people as accused.

The case was initially investigated by the Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police and was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion.

A high-level task force and the PBI are now working on the investigation.

Despite more than 14 years having passed since the murders, investigators have yet to submit a final investigation report to the court.

On August 27, the court extended the deadline for submission of the report for the 129th time and set a new date.

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