Bangladesh’s Chief Justice, Obaidul Hassan, tendered his resignation on Saturday following intense protests led by students who besieged the Supreme Court. Hassan’s decision to step down came after he agreed “in principle” to a demand from demonstrators who issued an ultimatum for his resignation.
Appointed as the head of the Supreme Court last year, Hassan has been widely regarded as a loyal supporter of the recently ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The protests, predominantly driven by students, escalated as they surrounded the Supreme Court, insisting on Hassan’s immediate departure. Reports indicate that the Chief Justice fled the court premises amid the mounting tension before officially announcing his resignation.
The unrest was triggered by a controversial full-court meeting convened by Obaidul Hassan without prior consultation with the interim government. Student protesters accused the judiciary of being complicit in a broader conspiracy, leading to widespread outrage and demands for accountability.
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As tensions reached a boiling point, the scheduled full-court meeting was abruptly cancelled. Undeterred, the protesters continued their siege, issuing a one-hour ultimatum for Hassan to vacate his position.
These latest demonstrations follow closely on the heels of a student-led uprising against government hiring practices, which resulted in Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus being appointed to lead a caretaker government.
The recent wave of protests has been marked by significant violence, with over 450 people losing their lives in clashes that ultimately led to the end of Sheikh Hasina’s autocratic rule. The 76-year-old former prime minister, one of Asia’s longest-serving leaders, resigned and fled Bangladesh on August 5 in response to the massive public outcry demanding her removal.
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The interim government, now headed by economist Muhammad Yunus, was established on Thursday. According to the constitution, elections must be held within 90 days, although neither Yunus nor the military-backed government, nor the president, have commented on when these elections will take place.
Amidst these turbulent developments, allegations against Sheikh Hasina have surfaced, including accusations of murder, forced disappearances, money laundering, and corruption. Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a senior figure in the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, emphasized that Hasina must face justice for her alleged crimes.
