Within just five years, Bangladesh’s legal fraternity has lost eleven towering figures — renowned lawyers, constitutional experts, and senior advocates who shaped the nation’s judiciary. Their absence has created a profound vacuum in the country’s legal arena, as they were not only stalwarts in their profession but also mentors and guardians for the next generation of lawyers.Whenever constitutional or complex legal issues arose, they stood as amicus curiae before the Supreme Court, guiding the judiciary with their wisdom. Their passing in such a short span has left the bar and bench grappling with an irreplaceable loss.Among the departed are Justice T.H. Khan, former Attorney General Mahbubey Alam, Barrister Moudud Ahmed, Barrister Moinul Hossain, eminent criminal law expert Khandker Mahbub Hossain, “the lawyer of the poor” Abdul Baset Majumder, former Law Minister Abdul Matin Khasru, former Bar President A.J. Mohammad Ali, Barrister Rafique-ul Huq, and Dr. Rafiqul Rahman, Barrister Abdur Razzak. Each of them was a giant in his own field — criminal, civil, company, or constitutional law.

The Void in the Legal Arena

Attorney General A.M. Amin Uddin noted that the judiciary is facing a major gap:

“In a short period, we have lost many brilliant senior lawyers. Moreover, many seniors are unable to appear in court due to health reasons. It will take time for the current generation to fill their shoes, as the departed had decades of experience, dedication, and scholarship. Our young lawyers must follow the same path of relentless study and practice.”

Supreme Court Bar Association President Barrister A.M. Mahbub Uddin Khokon echoed the sentiment:

“We have learned much from these senior lawyers — their strategies, reputation, and courtroom experience. The profession thrives on mentorship, where juniors learn from seniors. Their deaths in such quick succession have created a significant void. It is now upon us, the living, to carry forward their legacy.”

Profiles of the Ten Departed Stalwarts

• Mahbubey Alam (1949–2020) – Attorney General at the time of his passing, Alam played a pivotal role in the Bangabandhu murder trial, constitutional amendment cases, the BDR mutiny trial, and appeals in war crimes cases.

• Barrister Rafique-ul Huq (1935–2020) – Former Attorney General, he was revered for his integrity and independence. He fought legal battles for both Sheikh Hasina and Khaleda Zia during the 2007–08 caretaker government but never aligned with any political party. He spent much of his personal wealth on philanthropy.

• Abdul Matin Khasru (1951–2021) – Former Law Minister and President-elect of the Supreme Court Bar, he played a crucial role in repealing the Indemnity Ordinance that had shielded the killers of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

• Barrister Moudud Ahmed (1940–2021) – A rare figure who served as Law Minister, Prime Minister, and Vice President under different regimes. A five-time MP from Noakhali, he was also a constitutional lawyer and prolific political writer.

• Justice T.H. Khan (1920–2022) – One of the oldest surviving legal figures, former international court judge, law minister, and founder of the Nationalist Lawyers’ Forum. He was part of the very first day of the Dhaka High Court in 1947.

• Khandker Mahbub Hossain (1938–2022) – Criminal law expert, chief prosecutor in the 1973 war crimes tribunal, and later Vice-Chairman of the BNP. He was known as a fearless courtroom performer.

• Abdul Baset Majumder (1938–2021) – Fondly known as the “lawyer of the poor,” he helped over 20,000 clients free of cost or for nominal fees. He served as Vice-Chairman of the Bar Council and President of the SCBA, and created a trust fund for lawyers in need.

• Barrister Moinul Hossain (1941–2023) – Senior advocate, former SCBA President, and adviser in the 2007 caretaker government overseeing law, information, and housing. He was the son of eminent journalist Tofazzal Hossain Manik Mia.

• A.J. Mohammad Ali (d. 2025) – Former Attorney General and SCBA President, he followed in the footsteps of his father, the country’s first Attorney General M.H. Khandker. He specialized in constitutional and civil law.

• Dr. Rafiqul Rahman (1930s–2025) – A veteran with over seven decades in practice, law teacher at Dhaka University, and two-time SCBA President. He was trained at Kolkata Presidency College, DU, and Lincoln’s Inn in the UK.

• Barrister Abdur Razzak (March 6, 1949 – May 4, 2025)

  Barrister Abdur Razzak, a distinguished Bangladeshi lawyer and former Assistant Secretary General of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, passed away on May 4, 2025, while undergoing treatment at Ibn Sina Hospital in Dhaka. He was 76.

  Razzak was a senior advocate of the Bangladesh Supreme Court and served as the chief defense counsel for the accused in the International Crimes Tribunal. He came into the national spotlight in 2019 when he resigned from Jamaat-e-Islami, a decision that stirred widespread discussion in political and legal circles.

   

  Throughout his long legal career, Barrister Razzak was regarded as a prominent figure in the country’s legal arena, widely respected for his advocacy skills and legal acumen.

Legacy and the Road Ahead

The deaths of these ten luminaries in just five years have left Bangladesh’s legal landscape poorer. Their legacies, however, remain alive in their judgments, arguments, writings, and in the countless lawyers they mentored.

The challenge now lies with the present generation — to carry forward the tradition of hard work, constant study, and fearless advocacy. As senior lawyers emphasize, there is no shortcut in law. The ten departed legends did not rise overnight; they climbed step by step, with dedication, discipline, and devotion to justice.