Attorney General Mahbubey Alam laid to rest

Attorney General Mahbubey Alam laid to rest at the Martyred Intellectuals Graveyard in Dhaka's Mirpur after a namaz-e-janaza at the Supreme Court premises, his workplace for almost half a century, on Monday.

His body was taken to the Supreme Court premises around 11:00 am and the namaj-e-janaza was held at 11:30 am

Wreaths were placed on Alam's coffin on behalf of President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina after the funeral prayer.

Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Fisheries and Livestock Minister SM Rezaul Karim, Railway Minister Md Nurul Islam Sujon, DSCC Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh and Law Secretary Md Golam Sarwar were among those who paid their final respects to the late attorney general.

People from all walk of life, including friends, family and members of the legal fraternity, have also paid tribute to the chief legal counsel of the state.

Earlier, the two divisions of the Supreme Court suspended sessions in a tribute to Alam.

“We are very much in grief. No court session will be held today to pay our homage to him,” said Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain.

Young lawyers can learn a lot about becoming a legal professional by following in Alam's footsteps, said Law Minister Anisul Huq.

“Mahbubey Alam had gone to great lengths to maintain his accountability to the legal profession and lawyers. Please forgive him if there was any mistake along the way,” AM Amin, president of Supreme Court Bar Association, told mourners.

“Please pardon my father if he has caused any trouble for anyone. My sister is a member of the bar association and all of you please take care of her. I have nothing more to say,” said the attorney general’s son Sumon Mahbub.  

“Mahbubey Alam’s principles and professionalism is worth noting. He will live forever in the minds of legal professionals,” said DSCC Mayor Taposh.

Alam breathed his last in intensive care at the Combined Military Hospital at 7:25 pm on Sunday at the age of 71.

He is survived by his artist wife Binota Mahbub, journalist son Sumon, and lawyer daughter Shishir Kona.

He was hospitalised with a high temperature on Sept 4 and later tested positive for COVID-19 and remained in hospital care ever since.

Alam was kept in intensive care at the hospital after his vital signs worsened during treatment on Sep 18.

Alam began practising law in 1975. He had been the attorney general of the country since 2009.

As the state’s chief legal officer, he played an immensely significant role in ensuring the trial of the crimes against humanity committed during the 1971 Liberation War.

He also played a key role in a number of crucial cases, including those involving the Fifth, Seventh, 13th and 16th Amendment to the constitution.