Dhaka: Although five years have elapsed since the tragedy, the investigation agency could not yet track down the killers of journalist couple Sagar Sarowar and Meherun Runi.
 
Though Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), the investigation agency, received the DNA test reports from a US laboratory three years back, it is yet to identify any of the killers of the journalist couple.
 
On February 11, 2012, Maasranga Television news editor Sagar Sarowar and his wife ATN Bangla senior reporter Meherun Runi were found dead at their rented apartment in the city's West Razabazar area. Sagar had suffered 28 stab injuries while Runi five before they breathed their last.
 
When his attention was drawn to the progress in the Sagar-Runi murder case after a programme at the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) Headquarters in Uttara on Thursday, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said he did not know about the latest progress.
 
He, however, hoped that the elite force will debunk the mystery behind the gruesome murder soon after investigation.
 
The DNA tests of 21 samples of evidence collected from the place of occurrence confirmed the presence of two persons at their multistory apartment during the gruesome murder, said Rab sources.
 
DNA (Deoxyribonucleic acid) is a molecule that encodes the genetic instructions used in the development and functioning of all known living organisms and many viruses.
 
Contacted, Assistant Director (Investigation) of Rab Headquarters ASP Mohiuddin Ahmed said probe is on into the murder.
 
Replying to a query, he said eight suspects had been shown arrested in connection with the gruesome murder. However, two of them were released on bail while the six others are now behind the bars.
 
"But none of the DNA samples of the arrested suspects matched with the two suspects whose presence was found in the apartment in the DNA test carried out in the US laboratory," ASP Mohiuddin said adding that they were trying to identify the killers.
 
Rab launched investigation into the murder following a High Court order on April 14, 2013. The elite force has so far given 46 time extensions by the trial court to complete the investigation.
 
Even, it failed to submit the progress report to the Chief Metropolitan Court of Dhaka on February 8 last.
 
Later, the court ordered the investigation agency to submit the progress report on March 21 next.
 
Earlier, Detective Branch of Dhaka Metropolitan Police investigated the killing of Sagar and Runi.
 
Amid the widespread apprehension about the fate of the case filed with Sher-e-Banglanagar Police Station on February 11, 2012, the HC had asked the authorities concerned to transfer the case to Rab as DB police admitted their failure to make a breakthrough in the case.
 
During a visit to the slain journalist couple's residence after the killing, then Home Minister Advocate Shahara Khatun had said the killers would be hunted down within 48 hours, but nothing happened.
 
A few days later, then Inspector General of Police Hasan Mahmud Khandker in a crowded press briefing at the Police Headquarters claimed that there was a marked progress in investigation into the murder.