Dhaka

Bangladesh's Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan resigned following an ultimatum from student protestors who gathered at the Supreme Court demanding his resignation.

The Chief Justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Obaidul Hassan on August 10, 2024 decided to step down from his post in the face of protests by the students who issued an ultimatum to him and judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1 p.m., according to media reports.

The protests were sparked by allegations of judicial bias and calls for reform within the judiciary.

the resignation came amid broader political unrest in Bangladesh, with some commentators suggesting that the protests were indicative of a shift towards authoritarianism and the imposition of Sharia law in the country.

The Chief Justice's decision to step down was seen as a response to the pressure from the student movement, which threatened to escalate their actions if their demands were not met.

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice and the justices of the Appellate Division.

According to media reports the protesters threatened to besiege their residences. The Chief Justice called for a full court meeting with all justices from both divisions of the Supreme Court.

round 1 p.m., Army personnel were stationed in the main building, annexe building, and other areas around the Supreme Court. They urged the protesters to maintain peace and called on them to avoid damaging government properties.

The Chief Justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court Obaidul Hassan on Saturday (August 10, 2024) decided to step down from his post in the face of protests by the students who issued an ultimatum to him and judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1 p.m., according to media reports.

The Chief Justice revealed his decision at around 1 p.m. after protesters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered on the court premises.

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement, issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice and the justices of the Appellate Division.

“Mr. Abdullah said the protesters threatened to besiege their residences,” The Daily Star newspaper said. Earlier, Chief Justice Hassan called for a full court meeting with all justices from both divisions of the Supreme Court.

However, the protesting students viewed the convening of the full court meeting as a judiciary coup and announced a siege of the High Court premises.

In the face of student protest, Chief Justice Hassan postponed the meeting and later said that he would step down. Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed on the Supreme Court premises as hundreds of protesting students gathered.

Around 1 p.m., Army personnel were stationed in the main building, annexe building, and other areas around the Supreme Court. They urged the protesters to maintain peace and called on them to avoid damaging government properties.

“Chief Justice Hassan told journalists on the apex court premises that he has decided to resign considering the safety of the judges of Supreme Court, High Court and lower courts across the country amid the emerging situation,” as per media reports.

“There are some formalities for the resignation. Completing those, I will send my resignation letter to President Mohammed Shahabuddin by this evening,” he added.

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