TM Akbar dies while cross-examining witness

Former Dhaka Bar Association president TM Akbar, defence counsel for one of the accused in Zia Charitable Trust graft case, died of a heart attack yesterday while cross-examining a witness at a makeshift court in the capital's Bakshibazar.

The veteran lawyer was 86 years old.

He suffered the heart attack around 12:30pm while cross-examining an official of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Advocate Nazrul Islam, a junior to the deceased, told The Daily Star.

He was rushed to the Birdem Hospital where doctors declared him dead, Nazrul said.

He left behind two sons, two daughters and a host of well-wishers.

TM Akbar was the defence counsel for Manirul Islam Khan, assistant personal secretary of former mayor Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

Hailing from Barisal, he had been practicing law for the last 51 years. He joined the Dhaka Bar Association in 1967. In 2016, the association gave him a crest for his 50 years of law practice.

His first namaz-e-janaza was held at the association at 4:30pm. The second namaz-e-janaza was held at his North Basabo residence. He was buried at Shahjahanpur graveyard.

Dhaka Bar Association expressed deep shock at his death.

Soon after the incident, Judge Md Akhtaruzzaman of the Special Judge Court-5 adjourned the trial proceedings until October 12.