According to media reports, the chief justice of the Bangladesh Supreme Court, Obaidul Hassan resigned Saturday following the demand of students by 1 pm on Saturday that the chief justice and judges of Appellate Division must resign.
“I have important news for you. It is just about few minutes ago when our CJ has tendered his resignation letter. It has already reached the law ministry and will be sent to president for necessary action without delay.” Asif Nazrul, a lawyer, justice and parliamentary affairs adviser to interim government said on his facebook page.
Protesters who convened near Dhaka’s court building in which champions were treated, demanded that Obaidul Hassan, the Chief Justice, step down. He was appointed as head judge in high court last year making him appear like Hasina’s servant.
At some point during 4th July session at Appellate Division on High Court verdict on quota, Chief Justice Obaidul Hasan was quoted as saying: “You started so many movements in the streets but can one change verdicts of HC or SC through mass movements?”
Chief Justice Hassan initially called for a full court meeting involving both divisions’ justices of Supreme Court. However, these protesting students perceived this move as judiciary coup d’état and declared their intention to besiege High Court premises. In response to student protestations, Chief Justice Hassan postponed the meeting and later announced his decision to resign.
The protest took place after anti-discrimination student movement supporters assembled in front of the courthouse. According to The Daily Star quoting a coordinator with anti-discrimination student movement, Hasnat Abdullah said they would lay siege to residences of chief justice and all justices from appellate division if they did not resign within a day.
Asif Nazrul spoke at secretariat as Law Advisor for interim government while addressing press conference . “When mass people ask you for your resignation then let us hope that C.M will know how he should honor this demand,” Prothomolo quoted Nazrul.
There are hundreds of protesting students at the Supreme Court compounds. The main building, annex building and other areas in the vicinity of the Supreme Court were occupied by army personnel. They told protesters to be peaceful and avoid vandalizing government assets.
After Sheikh Hasina, then prime minister fled to India on Monday amidst political turmoil in Bangladesh, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus who is 84 years old was sworn as interim government head on Thursday.
His government is putting everything back in order before they call for fresh elections following widespread violence from various anti-government demonstrations against the Hasina’s regime which has subsided now.
