An organiser of the liberation war and a framer of Bangladesh constitution Shawkat Ali died of cardiac failure at 10:00pm at Kumudini Hospital where he had been undergoing treatment for a long time.

He was laid to rest with state honour after Magrib prayers yesterday at their family graveyard in Delduar in Tangail after namaj-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram National Mosque and Supreme Court premises after the Juma prayers. Among other dignitaries, Acting President Jamiruddin Sircar attended the namaz-e-janaza at Baitul Mukarram Mosque.

The kulkhwani of the deceased will be held at his 3/8 Johnson Road residence at Sutrapur on July 3 after Magrib prayers.

Acting President Jamiruddin Sircar and Awami League (AL) President and Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Sheikh Hasina in separate condolence messages expressed deep shock at the death of the eminent lawyer.

The acting president with deep gratitude recalled late Shawkat Ali Khan's contribution to the country's politics and social welfare. The nation has lost a prominent lawyer, politician and a social worker, he added.

The AL chief in her message termed the death of the veteran leader and one of the framers of the Bangladesh Constitution as an irreparable loss for the country and the nation.

Barrister Shawkat Ali Khan is survived by his wife and five daughters.

Barrister Shawkat was a former presidium member of AL and was elected Member of Parliament from Mirzapur in 1970 and from Nagarpur in 1973 on AL ticket.

He was the second son of eminent businessman and social worker late Arfan Khan and the eldest son-in-law of philanthropist Ranada Prashad Saha.

He was the former president of Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association. He was also the life member of Red Crescent Society, Bangladesh Diabetic Society, Bangla Academy, Bangladesh Cancer Society, Bangladesh Asiatic Society, Parliament Members' club and Dhaka Bar Council.

Born on February 9, 1926, Barrister Shawkat passed his matriculation with distinction in History, Physics and Chemistry from Yangon ( former Rangoon ) University. He passed I Sc from St. Xavier's College, Kolkata and B Sc from Scottish Church College, Kolkata with distinction and Bar-at-Law from Lincoln Inn, London.