Former minister Dipu Moni seeks parole as husband passes away

Senior Supreme Court lawyer and former education minister Dr Dipu Moni's husband, Barrister Toufiq Nawaz, has passed away. He died while undergoing treatment at the Continental Hospital (formerly United Hospital) in the capital at 10:27pm on Tuesday, August 18. His death was confirmed by Dipu Moni's elder brother, J R Wadud Tipu.

Toufiq Nawaz had been suffering from cancer, liver complications and post-stroke issues for a long time. His condition had been critical since May this year, and he was undergoing treatment in the CCU. After suffering a stroke in 2019, he had been seriously ill for a long time and was hospitalised in Dhaka, remaining unconscious for several weeks.

Toufiq Nawaz was a senior Supreme Court lawyer who had long worked on international law, commercial disputes and human rights issues. He had led the government's case against Niko Resources for compensation over the Tengratila gas field explosion. He was also associated with Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) for a long time, playing a role in establishing its Bangladesh chapter in the 1990s, serving as a member of its trustee board and at one point as its secretary general. Outside the legal profession, he had an interest in classical music and playing the flute.

Dipu Moni is currently imprisoned in Munshiganj District Jail as an accused in multiple murder cases related to the July uprising. After news of her husband's death, the process for her parole application has begun, with lawyers and family members currently in Munshiganj. Dipu Moni's lawyer, Gazi Faisal Islam, told the media on Wednesday morning that the parole application would be submitted to the Munshiganj Deputy Commissioner on Wednesday, and a decision on the funeral and burial would be made after her release. Earlier, in May, Dipu Moni had applied for parole to be with her ailing husband, and at that time, Toufiq Nawaz was brought to court in a wheelchair to meet his wife.

J R Wadud Tipu said a decision on where and when the burial and funeral would take place would be announced after Wednesday afternoon. Toufiq Nawaz's death has cast a pall of mourning over the legal fraternity and among his acquaintances. He is survived by his wife Dipu Moni, their children and countless well-wishers.