Born in Murshidabad on 3 December in 1928, Habibur Rahman obtained his BA Honours (1949) and MA (1951) in History from Dhaka University and subsequently, BA Honours (1958) and MA (1962) in Modern History from the Oxford University.
Habibur Rahman began his career as a Lecturer in History of Dhaka University in 1952.
Later he joined Rajshahi University where he subsequently held the office of Dean of the Faculty of Law (1961) and of Reader in History (1962-64).
Habibur Rahman changed his profession in 1964 when he took to law and joined the Dhaka High Court Bar. In his legal career he held the offices of Assistant Advocate General (1969), Vice President of High Court Bar Association (1972) and member of BANGLADESH BAR COUNCIL (1972).
He served as a Judge of the High Court Division (1976-85), Judge of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court (1985-95), Acting Chief Justice (1990-91) and as CHIEF JUSTICE of Bangladesh (1995). His juristic competence is demonstrated in his opinions and interpretations as pronounced in many of the Bangladesh Supreme Court’s decisions concerning vital issues, such as, admiralty jurisdiction, amendment of the Constitution, citizenship, habeas corpus, administrative tribunals and court jurisdictions.
Justice Habibur Rahman participated in many international conferences of lawyers and jurists including the Conference of Chief Justices of Asia-Pacific in Perth, Australia (1991), Fourth Commonwealth Chief Justices Conference in Abuza, Nigeria (1992), First SAARC Chief Justices Conference in Kathmandu, Nepal (1995).
Habibur Rahman retired from service as Chief Justice of Bangladesh in 1995. As the last retiring Chief justice and according to the constitutional provision for Caretaker Government, he took oath as the Chief Advisor of the Caretaker Government for conducting the elections of the JATIYA SANGSAD in 1996.
A researcher and writer Habibur Rahman has substantial contribution in literature and in varied intellectual arena. Some of his literary and other noted publications are as follows: Law of Requisition (1966), Rabindra Prabandhey Sanjna O Parthakya Bichar (1968), Jatha-sabda (1974), Matri-bhashar Sapakshey Rabindranath (1983), Qoran-sutra (1984), Bachan O Prabachan (1985), Gangariddhi thekey Bangladesh (1985), Rabindra Rachanar Rabindra-byaksha (1986), Rabindra- kabyey Art, Sangeet O Sahitya (1986), On Rights and Remedies, Amara ki Jabo-na Tader Kachhey Jara Shudhu Banglai Katha Baley (1996). Justice Rahman was awarded BANGLA ACADEMY Prize for Literature in 1985. He is a fellow of the Asiatic Society of Bangladesh; Fellow of the Bangla Academy; Honorary Bencher, Lincoln’s Inn.
Muhammad Habibur Rahman, born: 3 December 1928 – died: 11 January 2014) was a former chief justice of Bangladesh Supreme Court in 1995. He was the chief adviser of the 1996 caretaker government which oversaw the Seventh parliamentary elections in Bangladesh.
He was educated in Kolkata, Dhaka, Oxford and London. He attended Dhaka University and was an activist in the Bengali Language Movement. He is a Fellow of Bangla Academy and Asiatic Society of Bangladesh; Honorary Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford; and also Honorary Bencher of Honourable Society of Lincoln’s Inn, London.
He is an author of seventy books in Bengali on law, language, literature, poetry and religion and five books in English, including two books of verse.
His contributions to the Language Movement 21 February, 1952 of Bangladesh is remarkable. For which 21 February is considered to be the International Mother Language Day (Announced by UNESCO, 17 November, 1999)
On 11 January 2014, at the age of 85, he died at United Hospital, Gulshan, Dhaka.
