The nation is in grief over the death of Justice Muhammad Habibur Rahman, who breathed his last Saturday night. He was 85.
According to the admirers, with his death the country has lost a perfect man of conscience and wisdom, foresight and scholarly pursuits.
Various organisations and personalities expressed their deep shock at the death of Justice Habibur Rahman, also the former chief adviser of the caretaker government prior to the
1996 national elections.
Renowned personalities thronged the city's United Hospital, where he was declared dead at 9:50pm Saturday night. A lot of grief-stricken people visited his Gulshan residence on Sunday to express their condolence at his death. They conveyed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
In separate messages on Sunday, President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia expressed condolences at the death of Habibur Rahman and prayed for the salvation of the departed soul.
Sheikh 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.
BNP chairperson Khaleda Zia termed his demise a loss of a great, honest, sagacious, farsighted and patriotic person, and said it has created an irreplaceable void.
Nobel Peace Prize winner Professor Muhammad Yunus also expressed his deep shock at the passing of Justice Habibur Rahman saying those who got close to him could realise his deep intellectuality.
"He was an icon of strong credibility to the nation," Professor Yunus added.
Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), in a statement, highlighted his contribution to the judicial system of the country and his role as the chief of the caretaker government.
The FBCCI president and its board members said he was among the bright stars in the judicial department, and performed his duties with utmost proficiency, accountability, acceptability and respect among all as the chief of the caretaker government.
Besides, he was an ideal teacher, renowned writer and will be remembered by the nation forever for his achievements.
Late Muhammad Habibur Rahman is survived by his wife Islama Rahman, three daughters-Rubaba Rahman, Nushrat Rahman and Rounat Rahman.
His elder daughter Rubaba Rahman said he was found lying on the floor of his room, where he went at around 8:30 in the night to take rest as usual before taking his dinner.
Justice Rahman was born in India's Murshidabad on December 3, 1928. He did his Bachelor's degree with Honours in History from Dhaka University in 1949 and Masters in 1951.
He was renowned for his contribution to different arenas of the nation --- the Language Movement, the judicial system, governance, literature and research. He was also a columnist and used to write for various national and international newspapers and journals. He was honoured with many awards, including Bangla Academy Award and Ekushey Padak, for his writings.
Family sources said former Chief Justice Habibur Rahman would be laid to rest at Banani graveyard after Asr prayers on Monday.
His body is now kept at the United Hospital in the city.
The body of late Habibur Rahman will be brought to his residence on Monday morning, from where he will be taken to the Shaheed Minar to enable people to show their last respects. The body will then be taken to the Supreme Court premises for his Namaj-e-Janaza after Zohr prayers. His last Namaj-e-Janaza will be held at Azad Mosque at Gulshan-2 after Asr prayers.
