Dhaka, Jan 06, (V7N) — Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, expressed confidence in the ability of the Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) to resolve the long-standing Sagar-Runi murder case. Speaking at a press briefing at the Foreign Service Academy on Sunday, Alam acknowledged the difficulties faced by the PBI but assured the public that they are working tirelessly to uncover the truth.
 
Despite the case's challenging nature, Alam expressed hope, citing discussions with the PBI chief that had instilled confidence in him. “Though it is challenging, they have assured us that they are working hard on this,” Alam said. The case, which dates back 12-13 years, remains one of the most high-profile unsolved cases in Bangladesh.
 
The victims, Sagar Sarwar, the news editor of Maasranga Television, and Meherun Runi, a senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were tragically killed on February 11, 2012, in their home in West Rajabazar, Dhaka. The murders shocked the nation, and the case has remained unsolved despite multiple investigations over the years.
 
In his address, Alam emphasized the significance of the case, referring to the deaths of Sagar and Runi as a “tragic chapter” in journalism. He recalled the widespread protests led by journalists demanding justice, a movement that continues even today. Alam underscored the collective resolve to seek justice, stating, “All of us here as journalists are brothers-sisters, and the Sagar-Runi incident is a very tragic chapter in our journalism.”
 
A Timeline of the Investigation February 11, 2012:
Sagar Sarwar and Meherun Runi were murdered in their rented home in Dhaka. Despite initial police investigations, the case showed little progress.
 
2012-2015:
The murders sparked nationwide protests, especially within the journalist community. Despite heightened media attention, the case remained unsolved. Public demands for justice continued to mount.
 
2015:
The PBI took over the investigation, offering a glimmer of hope for progress. However, after years of effort, the case still had no resolution, and doubts about the effectiveness of the investigation persisted.
 
2019-2021:
Over the years, new leads were explored, but no significant breakthroughs emerged. The PBI continued their efforts, revisiting evidence and questioning potential suspects, but the case remained cold.
 
2022:
In a statement, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam affirmed that the PBI was still actively investigating the case. He called for continued efforts to uncover the truth, while reiterating the importance of the investigation for both the families of the victims and the nation as a whole.
 
January 5, 2025:
In the latest update, Alam confidently spoke about the PBI’s renewed efforts. He highlighted the PBI’s recent achievements, including solving cold cases that had remained unresolved for decades. Alam mentioned that the police force is working diligently to catch up for the lost time, bringing hope that the case will finally be solved.
 
The case has been a significant chapter in Bangladesh’s journalism history, with media professionals and citizens alike calling for closure. As of today, the Sagar-Runi murder case remains one of the most prominent unsolved mysteries in the country.
 
END/SMA/AJ/