A Dhaka court on Wednesday set July 8 as the new deadline for submitting the probe report in the murder case of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi, extending the deadline for the 118th time, reports BSS.
Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shahin Reza passed the order, granting the prosecution's plea for more time as the investigation agency failed to submit the report today.
The court also approved a plea by the investigation officer seeking permission to interrogate accused Tanvir, who remains in jail in connection with the case.
The journalist couple was brutally murdered at their rented flat in the capital's West Rajabazar on February 11, 2012, in the presence of their then four-year-old son Mahir Sarwar Megh.
Runi's brother, Nawser Alam, later filed a murder case with Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station.
Initially, the Detective Branch (DB) of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) was tasked with investigating the case. It was later transferred to the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB).
However, over the past 12 years, RAB failed to submit the investigation report despite securing 111 extensions.
On September 30, 2024, the High Court ordered the formation of a high-powered task force under the Ministry of Home Affairs, removing RAB from the investigation.
In compliance with the order, the government formed a four-member task force on October 23, 2024, through a notification issued by the Home Ministry.
The task force was directed to submit its findings within six months.
The Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) was appointed as the task force convener, though the notification did not disclose the names of the other members.
According to the directive, the task force also includes one representative not below the rank of Additional Deputy Inspector General from Police Headquarters, one from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the same rank, and one officer holding the rank of RAB Director.
The full text of the High Court's September 30 order was released on October 16, 2024, formally transferring the authority to investigate the case from RAB to the newly formed task force.
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