Habibur Rahman passes away

Former Chief Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman has passed away. He was 85.

“He was declared dead at the United Hospital in Dhaka City at 9:53pm on Saturday,” Matiar Rahman, on-duty manager of the hospital, told bdnews24.com.

“He was brought to the hospital at 9:30pm. He might have died before being brought here,” he said.

He served as the chief adviser to the Caretaker Government in 1996 that oversaw seventh parliamentary elections. A year before, Justice Rahman had retired from the Supreme Court as the top judge.

Rahman was born in India’s Murshidabad on Dec 3, 1928. He did his bachelor’s degree with honours in History from Dhaka University in 1949 and masters in 1951.

He has many research books to his credit.

Among the books are Jothashobdo (1974), Bangladesher Tarikh, Koransutra. Matribhasar Swapakkhey Rabindranath Tagore (1983), Bochon 0 Probochon (1985), Bangladesh Dirkhajibi Hok (1996), Koran Sharif: Sorol Bonganubad (2000).

He was conferred with many awards, including Bangla Academy Award, for his writings.

He left behind his wife, three daughters. His eldest daughter Rubaba Rahman lives in Bangladesh while two other daughters –Nushrat Rahman and Rounat Rahman - live in the United States of America.

Supreme Court Registrar AKM Shamsul Islam said Habibur Rahman will be laid to rest on Monday, but he could not say where the former Chief Justice will be buried.

“His two daughters are abroad. They will be back home by tomorrow (Sunday). His Namaz-e-Janaza will be held on the Supreme Court premises after Johr prayers on Monday. He will be buried after that,” he said.

Justice Rahman also played an important role during the Language Movement in 1952.

President Md Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia led the nation to mourn his death.

Prime Minister Hasina said the nation has lost a man of strong personality, extraordinary judicial sagacity and a connoisseur of Rabindranath Tagore’s works.

His unique contribution to Bangladesh’s judicial system will always be remembered, she said.

Khaleda said, “In his demise the nation has lost a great, honest, sagacious, farsighted and patriotic person.”

His death has created an irreplaceable void, she said.

In an instant reaction, Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, who was among the first to condole Rahman’s demise, said, “His contribution to Bangladesh’s judicial system will never be forgotten.”

Justice Rahman was a regular columnist to bdnews24.com. He used to write columns and articles on society, politics, history, culture and literature.

The editors of bdnews24.com described him as “one of the finest that have shaped the course of history in Bangladesh”.