THE 5th July, 1995 was a day of profound sorrow' and grief for us. On that ill-fated day Justice Mohammad, Ansar Ali died. While on duty on the Supreme Court's High Court-Bench in Dhaka for hearing the cases for the dispensation of justice, he suddenly felt sick and was hurriedly taken to the National Heart Disease Institute and died there on the same day. Only ohe year back he was with us. Only recollections of pleasant memories of him and his qualities deserve to be elaborated on this day.

Im 1933 on 1st August he was born at Badalgachhi in Naogaon district. He passed the Matriculation from Badalgachhi High School. He passed B Sc from Rajshahi College and LLB from Rajshahi University. Probably he was. the first graduate in law from Rajshahi niversity. In 1962 he joined the bar practising at Dhaka High Court.

His life was full of trials and tribulations. He started his career as a teachei of Loknath High School at Rajshahi. By dint of his. merit and qualities of head and heart he ’become a worthy lawyer. As a student and later on. as a lawyer he was always a conscience keeper of the nation He took I active part at the Language \Movenient in 1952 at Rajshahi’

College and was arrested and sent to Rajshahi prison. He also took active ' part at the Liberation Movement. In the early morning on 26th March 1971. Pakistan army took him from his house and tortured him. Miraculously, he was escaped unhurt. His house at. the home village was totally destroyed by Pakistan army.

I saw him as a vocal personality for gJI-round social and economic development of the country as a whole and North Bengal in particular. His foresight and thinking is ever remembered because he conceived the idea of the big projects like Jamuna Bridge in 1968, Rooppur Nuclear Project. mining, cement, rock stone projects. fertilizer Elan! etc. in North Bengal and ad been advocating for mass movement for early implementation of the same. Now his dreams have come true gradually. His contribution towards the establishment of Rajshahi University is com-inendable., He successfully created public opinion for equal treatment and for all-round progress of the nation through different forums like Rajshahi-Khulna Welfare Association. Rajshahi District Association. Naogaon Association — of all of which he wjs one of the

founders.

He was appointed judge, the Supreme Court of Bangladesh in 1988. He was one of the pioneers in the movement of Legal Aid Society. He wrote Jagoroni. a poetical vision and autobiographical sketch and also many article^. one of which is Ombudsman' — a masterpiece. He was an ardent lawyer to establish the rule of law and independent judiciary. His sudden death has created a vacuum in the field of legal profession as well as Judiciary. Justice Mohd Ansar Ali earned spontaneously respect, love and affection of all . We can honour his memory best by being true to those values which he stood for.