Sagar-Runi murder: PBI wants to quiz accused Tanvir

Police Bureau of Investigation (PBI) yesterday submitted an application before a Dhaka court for interrogating Tanvir Rahman, an accused in the case filed over murders of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi in 2012.

Tanvir, a family friend of the couple, was arrested on October 10, 2012 in connection with the murders and later released on bail.

Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Shaheen Reza set July 8 to hear the application in presence of Investigation Officer Md Azizul Haque, also an additional superintendent of police at the PBI, said a court police.

The magistrate also extended the deadline for submitting the probe report on the case to the same date. This marks the 119th extension of the deadline, according to case records.

A day before the death of the victims, Runi met Tanvir in front of Square Hospital at Panthapath around 5:15pm on February 10, 2012 and travelled in Tanvir's car to different places in the capital. Later, Tanvir drove Runi to her residence around 7:00pm.

On that night, the couple were killed at their rented apartment in Dhaka's West Rajabazar. After the death, Tanvir did not take part in their janaza even though he was informed. Moreover, he did not communicate with the victims' family members for a single day. So, he needs to be interrogated for gathering vital clues about the murders, said the IO in his application.

Meanwhile, investigators have so far spoken to over 70 people, said a PBI official, requesting anonymity.

     The agency also interrogated six individuals -- sacked army official Ziaul Ahsan, former police officer Mashiur Rahman, ex-justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik, former navy officer Mohammad Sohail, and accused Humayun Kabir and Palash Rudra Paul.

Sagar, news editor at Maasranga TV, and Runi, senior reporter at ATN Bangla, were killed on February 11, 2012, at their rented apartment in Dhaka's West Rajabazar.

After the killings, eight suspects -- Kamrul Islam alias Arun, Abu Sayeed, Rafiqul Islam, Bakul Miah, Masum Mintu, Palash Rudra Paul, Anamul Haque alias Humayun Kabir, and Tanveer Rahman Khan -- were arrested. Tanvir and Palash are now out of jail, while the others are behind bars.

Initially, Sher-e-Bangla Nagar Police Station handled the case. It was transferred to the Detective Branch on February 16, 2012, and later to the Rapid Action Battalion in April that year. Rab investigated until November 3, 2023.

The PBI took over the probe on November 4 last year following a High Court order.

On October 23, a four-member task force was formed, with the PBI chief as its convener, and tasked with submitting a report to the High Court within six months.