Joynal Abedin Hazari,  a member of Awami League's advisory council and a former MP of Feni, died at a hospital in the capital on Monday. He was 76.

Hazari breathed his last around 5:20pm at Labaid Specialized Hospital, said an official at the hospital.

He said Hazari, a lifelong bachelor, was admitted to the hospital on December 15 with lung infections, cardiac and kidney problems.

Shahid Ullah, publicity secretary of Feni District unit Awami League, said Hazari was undergoing treatment at the Coronary Care Unit (CCU) of the hospital and he was put on life support three days back as his condition worsened.

He said Hazari will be buried near his residence Mujib Udyan in Feni town on Tuesday after a namaz-e-janaza around 4:30 pm at Feni Government Pilot High School field.

Born on August 24, 1945 in Feni, Hazari was elected MP thrice--1986, 1991 and 199--with Awami League ticket from Feni-2 constituency.

He started politics in his student life and was the general secretary of the then Student Majlis of Feni Government College.

Later, Hazari, a valiant freedom fighter, was elected the general secretary of the Greater Noakhali district unit Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL).

He also served as the Presidium member of the Jubo League.  Later, Hazari was the general secretary of the Feni district unit of AL from 1984 to 2004.

In 2001, a joint forces team conducted a drive at the house of Hazari during the caretaker government, but he managed to flee to India.

He was expelled from Awami League in 2004 when he was on the run in India.

A number of cases were filed against Hazari for his involvement in criminal activities. He was sentenced to 60 years jail in five cases.

After staying in India for eight years, Hazari returned to the country on February 22, 2009 as Awami league assumed power again.

On April 15, 2009, he was sent to jail upon surrender before a lower court. He was later exonerated from all cases in phases and walked out from jail on bail on September 2, 2009. 

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In 2019, Hazari was made a member of Awami League's advisory council. He was also Editor of a newspaper, ‘Hazarika Pratidin’.

Meanwhile, President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina expressed deep shock at the death of Hazari.

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In a condolence message, the President prayed for the eternal peace of Hazari's departed soul and conveyed his deepest sympathy to the bereaved family.

In another condolence message, the Prime Minister prayed for the salvation of the departed soul of Hazari.

She also expressed profound sympathy to bereaved family members.