Eminent lawyer and former Attorney General Barrister Rafique-ul Haque, who had dealt with many high-profile cases during his legal career, died at a hospital in the city on Saturday. He was 85.
Barrister Rafique, who had been suffering from old age complications, breathed his last around 8:30 am at Ad-Din Women’s Medical College Hospital in the city, said Barrister Ruhul Kuddus, secretary of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association (BSCBA).
He left behind his son Barrister Fahim-ul Haque. His wife died in 2011.
Barrister Rafique’s third namaz-e-janaza will be held on the Supreme Court premises at 2 pm following two janazas held at Ad-Din Women’s Medical College Hospital and Baitul Mukarram National Mosque respectively.
He will be buried at Banani Graveyard, said Barrister Ruhul Kuddus.
The veteran Supreme Court lawyer was admitted to Ad-din Hospital on October 15 and returned to his Paltan residence after discharge from the hospital on October 17. He was again admitted to the hospital on the same day.
Rafique-ul Haque was then put on life support at the hospital on October 18. However, he tested negative for coronavirus.
Suffering from different diseases, including anemia, the eminent lawyer had been undergoing treatment under Dr Richmond Roland Gomage.
Born on November 2, 1935 at Subornapur village in Kolkata, Barrister Rafique served as the Attorney General from April 7, 1990 to December 17, 1990.
He underwent a surgery on his left knee in 2017 and had been unable to move normally since then. Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid expressed profound shock and sorrow at the death of Barrister Rafique-Ul Haque.
In a condolence message, the President said Barrister Rafiq-ul Haque had made great contributions towards establishing the rule of law in the country. “The country has lost an experienced lawyer with his death.”
He prayed for salvation of the departed soul and conveyed deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also mourned the death of Barrister Rafique-ul Haque and recalled his role with due gratitude as he came forward to fight a legal battle to release her from the jail as she was arrested in 2007 by the then caretaker government in a false case.
“Barrister Rafique-ul Haque also used to give advice on important issues regarding the Constitution,” she said.
Besides, Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Planning Minister MA Mannan, among others, expressed deep shock at the demise of Rafique-ul Haque.
source: UNB
