August 10th 2024.
On a Saturday afternoon in Dhaka, the Chief Justice of Bangladesh, Obaidul Hassan, announced his resignation after five days of protests and turmoil in the country. The 65-year-old top judge made this decision after a group of students from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the apex court premises and gave him an ultimatum to step down by 1pm. This news was shared by the law adviser, Prof Asif Nazrul, in a video message on Facebook, stating that the resignation letter had already reached the law ministry and would be sent to President Mohammad Shahabuddin for necessary measures.
The Chief Justice's resignation comes after the fall of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's regime and the appointment of an interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. The students who had been protesting for a revamp of the judiciary had also demanded the resignation of other judges of the Appellate Division, which had caused the cancellation of a full court meeting earlier that day. The situation escalated when the students gave a two-hour ultimatum for the chief justice and other justices to leave their posts.
As the protests continued, Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed at the Supreme Court premises to maintain peace and protect government properties. The students, who were marching towards the court, were urged to refrain from causing damage. In the midst of this tense situation, Chief Justice Hassan announced his decision to resign, stating that he was considering the safety of judges at all levels of the judiciary.
He also mentioned that there were some formalities to be completed before he could send his resignation letter to the President, which he expected to do by the evening. When asked about the resignation of other judges, the Chief Justice stated that it was their decision to make. The students, who had been protesting against the government's handling of the country, were now demanding a restructuring of the judiciary and the removal of judges who were perceived to be loyal to the previous regime.
With the situation in Bangladesh slowly stabilizing, the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus is expected to announce fresh elections after restoring law and order in the country. The protests and violence that had erupted following the fall of Prime Minister Hasina's regime are now abating, and the country is on its way to a new beginning.
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