A. F. Hassan Ariff
Bangladeshi politician (1941–2024)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A. F. Hassan Ariff (10 July 1941 – 20 December 2024)[1] was a Bangladeshi lawyer who served as the Attorney General for Bangladesh and an adviser in the caretaker government led by Fakhruddin Ahmed.[2][3] He also served until his death as an adviser to the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus.[4]
A. F. Hassan Ariff | |
|---|---|
এ. এফ. হাসান আরিফ | |
Ariff in 2024 | |
| Adviser for Land | |
| In office 22 August 2024 – 20 December 2024 | |
| Chief Adviser | Muhammad Yunus |
| Preceded by | Narayon Chandra Chanda |
| Succeeded by | Ali Imam Majumder |
| In office 21 January 2008 – 6 January 2009 | |
| Chief Adviser | Fakhruddin Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Mainul Hosein |
| Succeeded by | Rezaul Karim Hira |
| Adviser for Civil Aviation and Tourism | |
| In office 10 November 2024 – 20 December 2024 | |
| Chief Adviser | Muhammad Yunus |
| Preceded by | Faruk Khan |
| Succeeded by | Mohammad Yunus |
| Adviser for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives | |
| In office 9 August 2024 – 10 November 2024 | |
| Chief Adviser | Muhammad Yunus |
| Preceded by | Md Tazul Islam |
| Succeeded by | Asif Mahmud |
| Adviser for Law | |
| In office 10 January 2008 – 6 January 2009 | |
| Chief Adviser | Fakhruddin Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Mainul Hosein |
| Succeeded by | Shafique Ahmed |
| Adviser for Religious Affairs | |
| In office 10 January 2008 – 6 January 2009 | |
| Chief Adviser | Fakhruddin Ahmed |
| Preceded by | A.S.M. Matiur Rahman |
| Succeeded by | Shahjahan Mia(as State Minister) |
| 11th Attorney General of Bangladesh | |
| In office 14 October 2001 – 30 April 2005 | |
| President | Shahabuddin Ahmed A. Q. M. Badruddoza Chowdhury Muhammad Jamiruddin Sircar Iajuddin Ahmed |
| Preceded by | Mahmudul Islam |
| Succeeded by | A. J. Mohammad Ali |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 10 June 1941 Calcutta, Bengal Province, British India |
| Died | 20 December 2024 (aged 83) Dhaka, Bangladesh |
| Education | LLB |
| Alma mater | Calcutta University |
Early life
Ariff was born in Calcutta, British India on 10 July 1941. He studied at St. Xavier's College, Calcutta, and later earned a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Calcutta.[1][5]
Career
In 1967, Ariff started his legal practice at the Calcutta High Court.[6]
In 1970, Ariff began practising law in Dhaka after moving to East Pakistan.[6]
From October 2001 to April 2005, Ariff served as the attorney general of Bangladesh.[6] He admitted abuses were taking place under section 54, which allowed the police to detain suspects without warrants.[7]
Ariff represented the Bangladesh Nationalist Party government in a case to close down Ekushey Television on 29 August 2002.[8]
From January 2008 to January 2009, Ariff served as the legal adviser to the Fakhruddin Ahmed-led caretaker government.[6] He supported the creation of a National Security Council.[9] Under him, the attorney general's office prosecuted high-profile corruption cases against former prime ministers Khaleda Zia and Sheikh Hasina.[10] He negotiated with Khaleda Zia in November 2008 on behalf of the caretaker government to ensure her party's participation in the next parliamentary elections.[11]
In January 2018, the Bangladesh Judicial Service Association criticized Ariff for signing a statement critical of the lower court judges disciplinary rules in relation to the Secretary, Ministry of Finance v. Masdar Hossain case.[12]
Ariff was an adviser to the Dhakeshwari National Temple Complex.[6] He was the lead of AF Hassan Ariff & Associates.[13]
Personal life and death
Ariff's son is Muaaz Ariff.[14] Muaaz was sued for domestic violence by his wife, Madhuri Akter Neela in June 2021.[14] Also accused in the case were Ariff, his wife, and daughter.[14]
Ariff died at Labaid Hospital in Dhaka on 20 December 2024, at the age of 83 from a heart attack.[15][16] Following his death, the government of Bangladesh announced a day of mourning.[17][18]
His Islamic funeral was held at the Dhanmondi 7 mosque on 20 December 2024. A second Islamic funeral was held the next day.[5]
