Lagatar24 Desk
Dhaka: The body of a Bangladeshi television journalist, Sarah Rahanuma, was discovered floating in Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka today, raising concerns about the safety of media professionals in the country. Sarah, 32, served as a newsroom editor at Gazi TV, a prominent media house in Bangladesh.
Local media outlet Dhaka Tribune reported that Sarah’s lifeless body was found by a man named Sagar, who subsequently brought her to Dhaka Medical College Hospital (DMCH). “I saw the woman floating in Hatirjheel Lake. Later, she was brought to DMCH, where doctors declared her dead,” Sagar recounted.
The son of Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Sajeeb Wazed, condemned Sarah’s death, labeling it as “another brutal attack” on freedom of expression in the country. In a post on X, Wazed highlighted the tragedy, stating, “Sarah Rahanuma, Gazi TV newsroom editor, was found dead. Her body was recovered from Hatirjheel Lake in Dhaka city. This is another brutal attack on freedom of expression in Bangladesh. Gazi TV is a secular news channel owned by Golam Dastagir Gazi, who was recently arrested.”
The incident gained further attention due to Sarah’s poignant social media posts on the night before her death. In a Facebook status, she tagged a man named Fahim Faysal, writing, “It was nice having a friend like you. God bless you always. Hope, you’ll fulfill all your dreams soon. I know we had lots of plans together. Sorry, can’t fulfill our plans. May God bless you in every aspect of your life.” In another post, Sarah expressed deep despair, stating, “It is better to die than to live a life akin to death.”
The tragic incident has been reported to the Hatirjheel police station. Inspector Bachchu Mia, in charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, confirmed that Sarah’s body has been placed in the DMCH morgue.
As the investigation continues, Sarah Rahanuma’s death has sparked outrage and highlighted the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Bangladesh, particularly concerning their safety and freedom of expression.
