Sarah Rahanuma, a 32-year-old newsroom editor at Gazi TV, was found dead in Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka earlier today. Local media outlet Dhaka Tribune reported that Rahanuma’s body was discovered floating in the lake by a passerby named Sagar, who subsequently transported her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). Doctors at DMCH pronounced her dead upon arrival.
Rahanuma, who worked as a newsroom editor at Gazi TV, was known for her contributions to the media house. The incident has sparked significant concern regarding freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Sajeeb Wazed, son of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, condemned the death as “another brutal attack” on press freedom in the country. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Wazed highlighted that Rahanuma’s death adds to the growing list of attacks on journalists and media personnel in Bangladesh.
The circumstances surrounding Rahanuma’s death are under investigation by the Hatirjheel police station. Inspector Bachchu Mia confirmed that Rahanuma’s body has been placed in the DMCH morgue for further examination.
The day before her death, Rahanuma made poignant posts on Facebook, including one where she tagged a man named Fahim Faysal, expressing regret about not fulfilling future plans together and wishing him well. In another post, she wrote, “It is better to die than to live a life akin to death,” suggesting that she may have been struggling with personal issues.
Gazi TV, a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi, has recently faced scrutiny, with the owner being arrested. This context has intensified speculation about the possible reasons behind Rahanuma’s tragic end.
The police investigation is ongoing, and authorities have yet to determine the exact cause of death. The media community and public await further updates as they seek answers to this distressing incident.
Sources By Agencies
