Bangladesh protests: Chief Justice agrees to resign after protesters' ultimatum
PTC Web Desk: The Chief Justice of Bangladesh's Supreme Court, Obaidul Hassan, has agreed "in principle" to resign after facing an ultimatum from protesters, according to a report by Jamuna TV on Saturday.
Obaidul Hassan, who took over as Chief Justice last year and is regarded as a close ally of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, faced intense pressure from demonstrators who gathered outside the Supreme Court in Dhaka, demanding his resignation.
The protests reflect growing discontent with the judiciary's perceived ties to the former administration, leading to widespread calls for a change in leadership at the top court.
In a dramatic turn of events, the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has triggered a new wave of protests in Bangladesh, with students now demanding the resignation of all judges, including the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
Following Sheikh Hasina's resignation on August 5, after weeks of mass protests, the focus of unrest has shifted to the judiciary. Hundreds of protesters, mostly students, have surrounded the Bangladesh Supreme Court, insisting on the immediate resignation of the Chief Justice. The situation has escalated rapidly, with reports suggesting that the Chief Justice may have fled the premises under pressure.
The protests were sparked by a full-court meeting called by the Chief Justice without consulting the newly formed interim government, which has been led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus. Student protesters accused the judiciary of being part of a conspiracy, which has led to widespread outrage and demands for accountability. As tensions mounted, the full-court meeting was abruptly cancelled. However, undeterred by this, protesters continued to besiege the Supreme Court, giving the Chief Justice a one-hour ultimatum to step down.
These fresh protests come just days after a student-led uprising against government hiring rules. The protests against Hasina's government had already claimed the lives of at least 450 persons over more than a month of deadly confrontations, ultimately ending the 76-year-old leader's long-standing rule.
Sheikh Hasina, who was one of Asia's longest-serving leaders, faces numerous allegations, including charges of murder, forced disappearances, money laundering, and corruption. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a senior member of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, said Hasina must be held accountable under the law. Under immense pressure from millions of protesters demanding her resignation, Hasina fled Bangladesh.
In the aftermath of her resignation, an interim government has been appointed, with Muhammad Yunus at its helm. According to the constitution, elections must be held within 90 days, although Yunus, the military—which supports the interim government—and the president have yet to comment on the timing of the elections.
- With inputs from agencies
