Bangladesh CJI Obaidul Hassan resigns after protesters' ultimatum

After fierce protests outside the Supreme Court, Obaidul Hassan, Bangladesh's Chief Justice, tendered his resignation on Saturday.

The demonstrations began following Hassan's summons for a ssembly of all justices, from both divisions of the Supreme Court. The protesting students called the full court meeting a judicial coup and besieged the High Court.

The chief justice delayed the meeting and then announced his resignation in response to the protests. A one-hour ultimatum was issued to Hassan, who was appointed last year, to step down.


Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder has also quit, but his resignation has not been accepted because the job is important, according to Salehuddin Ahmed, an advisor to the finance minister. Earlier, four deputy governors resigned after 300-400 bank officials accused them of corruption.

The protests, part of the wider unrest that led to former PM Sheikh Hasina's departure, have resulted in over 450 deaths, including dozens of police officers.

Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, a top Bangladesh Nationalist Party member, said Hasina must face charges of murder, forced disappearance, money laundering, and corruption.

Meanwhile, the police union has declared a strike, refusing to return to work until their safety is assured, further complicating the situation. Meanwhile, minority community and Awami League supporters came out across Bangladesh to protest killings and attacks since the fall of the Hasina government.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Saturday condemned attacks on the minority communities, terming them as "heinous", and urged the youth to protect all Hindu, Christian, and Buddhist families from harm.