Veteran Awami League leader Suranjit Sengupta died at Labaid hospital in Dhaka early today after prolonged illness. He was 72.

He breathed his last at 4:24am, Saifur Rahman Lenin, assistant general manager (corporate communications) of the hospital, told The Daily Star.

Suranjit was suffering from cancer which led to the collapse of his central nervous system and due to that his lung stopped functioning, Saifur said. He was on life support at the hospital since last night.

Also READ: Suranjit Sengupta: At a glance

Sengupta left behind his wife, only son, host of relatives and admirers to mourn his death.

About 9:00am today, the body of the former railways minister was first taken to his Jhigatola residence where family members, relatives, AL central leaders and well-wishers paid their tributes to him.

Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, the deputy speaker and whip also went to the residence to convey sympathy to the bereaved family members.

Among others, Mukul Bose, member of AL advisory council, Obaidul Quader, party general secretary, and Jahangir Kabir Nanak were present.    

Later, Suranjit’s body was taken to the Dhakeshwari Temple in the noon.

Senior AL leaders, BNP leader Mirza Fakhrul and top officials of Indian High Commission in Dhaka were present there among others. 

The body will be taken to the national parliament premises at 3:00pm, AL sources said.

The body will be kept at the mortuary of Labaid hospital from where it will be taken to Sylhet at 9:00am tomorrow and Sunamganj at 11:00am. It will be taken to the law maker’s constituency Dirai upazila of Sunamganj for cremation.

He was the AL lawmaker from Sunamganj-2 constituency and a member of the party's advisory council. Also, he was the chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on the law, justice and parliamentary affairs ministry.

President Abdul Hamid, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Speaker of the Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, ministers and others dignitaries have expressed deep shock at the death of Suranjit.

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia also gave her condolences at the death of the veteran parliamentarian.

Meanwhile, in a message of condolence, Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Harsh Vardhan Shringla today said, “He (Suranjit) was clearly a leader of immense stature, standing, sagacity and dignity. His passing away represents an immeasurable loss for the country and leaves a void.”