Evidence links Sagar-Runi murder to prominent cultural figure: Chief Prosecutor

The International Crimes Tribunal has found evidence linking the murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi to a prominent cultural figure, Chief Prosecutor Aminul Islam said Sunday.

Speaking to reporters at the tribunal, he said investigators found the clue while probing another case.

“The Sagar-Runi case is being investigated by another agency. While investigating another case, we found some clues related to the murder,” the Chief Prosecutor said.

“We have found some names and identities that cannot be disclosed at this stage. However, we have found evidence of a link between the Sagar-Runi murder and a well-known cultural figure in the country,” he added.

Aminul said the information was being verified and the person concerned remained under surveillance. Further credible evidence would be handed over to the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI), he added.

Asked whether the case falls under the tribunal’s jurisdiction, he said it was an individual murder case and would be tried by the appropriate sessions court.

More than 12 years after the killings of the journalist couple, the investigation report is yet to be submitted to the court.

On August 27, the court postponed its submission for the 129th time, setting a new date.

Sagar and Runi were murdered at their rented home in the capital’s West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012. Sagar was then the news editor of Maasranga Television, while Runi was a senior reporter at ATN Bangla.

Runi’s brother Nowsher Alam filed the murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.

The case was initially investigated by local police, followed by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch (DB) and Rapid Action Battalion (RAB). The PBI later took over the investigation and was tasked with conducting a fresh probe.