The High Court yesterday asked the government to explain within two weeks why it should not be directed to find out the motive for the murder of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi and to bring the killers to justice.
The court issued the rule in response to a public interest litigation filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB).
It also directed the authorities concerned not to make any statement to the media without any specific development in the ongoing investigation into the double murder.
The HC bench of Justice AHM Shamsuddin Chowdhury Manik and Justice Jahangir Hossain Selim also asked the information secretary to take steps within 24 hours to ensure the media do not publish any speculative news report on the incident.
Sagar, news editor at private TV station Maasranga, and his wife Runi, a senior reporter at another TV channel, ATN Bangla, were killed in the wee hours on February 11 at their rented apartment in the city's West Rajabazar.
During hearing on the petition, the court strongly criticised a statement of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia at a rally in Lalmonirhat on Monday regarding the government's action following the murder incident.
Making such a statement, the leader of the opposition has already passed judgement in this murder case, which would certainly influence the investigators and judges, mentioned the court.
“If it were in America or Britain, she (Khaleda) would have been straightaway sent to prison for gross violation of the sub judice rule and also for contempt of court,” Justice Shamsuddin observed.
Manzill Murshid, president of HRPB, moved the litigation.
During the court proceedings, several lawyers including Yususf Hossain Humayun, Nurul Islam Sujan, SM Rezaul Karim and Deputy Attorney General ABM Altaf Hossain condemned the statement of Khaleda Zia.
JU TEACHERS, STUDENTS FORM HUMAN CHAIN
Teachers and students of journalism and media studies department at Jahangirnagar University yesterday formed a human chain on the campus protesting the murder of Sagar and Runi.
They urged the government to ensure the security of the couple's only son Megh and take necessary steps to secure his future.