Days after massive unrest ousted Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has decided to step down from his position after the student protestors turned towards the Supreme Court demanding the resignation of all judges, including Hassan.
The 65-year-old judge stepped down on Saturday afternoon, Bangladeshi news media outlets reported.
According to Daily Star, hundreds of protestors on Saturday reportedly surrounded the Supreme Court and issued an ultimatum to Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and judges of the Appellate Division to resign by 1pm (local time).
The chief justice revealed his decision around 1 pm after protesters of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the court premises.
According to the reports, the Chief Justice left the building as tensions escalated. The protesters have threatened that they would besiege judges’ residences, if they fail to resign before the ultimatum.
Around 10:30am on Saturday, a huge mob, including students and lawyers, started gathering in the Court premises, demanding resignation of the chief justice and the judges of the Appellate Division.
Why Hasaan resigned?
The protests were sparked by a full-court meeting called by Chief Justice Hassan, who is seen as a loyalist to ousted premier Hasina, without consulting the newly formed interim government. The protestors alleged that the judges are part of a conspiracy, prompting outrage and demands for accountability. Amid the unrest, the chief justice postponed the full court meeting.
However, the protesting students announced a siege of the court premises. In the face of student protest, Chief Justice Hassan not only postponed the meeting but also announced that he would step down.
The Chief Justice told journalists at 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, The Daily Star reported.
“There are some formalities for the resignation. Completing those, I will send my resignation letter to President Mohammed Shahabuddin by this evening,” he added.
Army deployed at Court premises
Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed at the Supreme Court premises as hundreds of protesting students gathered. Around 1 pm, 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.
What happened in Bangladesh?
The developments came after Awami League leader Sheikh Hasina fled the violence-hit nation to India after resigning from the post of prime minister. Bangladesh’s Army chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman took over the administration and announced the formation of an interim government moments after Hasina resigned from her post.
An interim government, led by Nobel Peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, was sworn in on Thursday and will be tasked with holding elections. A 16-member council of advisers was announced to assist Yunus in running the state’s affairs.
The country was marred by massive protests over the controversial quota system that reserves 30 per cent of the government jobs for the families of veterans who fought the 1971 liberation war. At least 450 people were killed in more than a month of deadly protests that ended the autocratic rule of 76-year-old embattled leader.
(With inputs from agencies)
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