Former law minister and valiant Freedom Fighter Abdul Matin Khasru passed away on Wednesday afternoon at the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) in Dhaka. He was 72.

His personal assistant Advocate Md Mohin said the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president breathed his last at 4:45pm.

Khasru was put on life support on Tuesday as his condition deteriorated.

He had been receiving treatment at the CMH since March 16, the day he tested positive for Covid-19.

Towards the end of March, and right at the beginning of April, Khasru seemed on the road to recovery. He was out of the ICU, and a Covid-19 test result came out negative on April 1.

But his physical condition started worsening after that, and on April 6, he had to be shifted back to the ICU.

The freedom fighter is survived by his wife and two children.

Born on February 12, 1950, Khasru was a five-time MP for Cumilla-5 (Brahmanpara-Burichang) constituency. He served as the law minister during the Awami League-led government of 1996-2001.

He was elected president of SCBA on March 16 this year.

‘An irreparable loss’: PM leads tribute

Tributes poured in for the valiant freedom fighter as the news of his death spread.

Cabinet members, including Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Law Minister Anisul Huq, Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Railways Minister M Nurul Islam Sujan and Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, expressed deep shock at the demise of the Awami League presidium member.

In a condolence message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina described Khasru “as a learned lawyer and leader of the mass people” and said he would live forever in the heart of the people.

“We lost a public leader and a solider of Bangabandhu’s ideology who worked skillfully in establishing justice through playing a responsible role as a lawyer in various nationally important cases including Bangabandhu murder case,” she said.

She prayed for the eternal salvation of the departed soul and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family.

Foreign Minister Momen said the nation has lost one of its most prominent lawyers.

“The nation will forever commemorate the contribution of this five-time MP,” he said.

Dhaka South City Corporation Mayor Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh described Khasru as a “bright star” in the legal field.

“He was an ideal lawyer [and] an exemplary leader for the lawyers. His death is an irreparable loss for the legal arena and the country,” Taposh said in a statement.