Report by
Mohammed Shahid Miah:
On August 10, 2024, Bangladesh’s Chief Justice, Obaidul Hassan, officially resigned from his position. His resignation follows massive protests outside the Supreme Court in Dhaka, where students and lawyers gathered to demand his departure. The protestors issued an ultimatum, giving the Chief Justice one hour to step down. As tensions escalated, Obaidul Hassan decided to resign, citing concerns for safety.
The resignation letter was promptly submitted to the Ministry of Law, with Asif Nazrul, an advisor to the ministry, confirming that it would be forwarded to the President for swift action. Sources indicate that five other Justices from the Appellate Division—Justices Borhan Uddin, M Enayetur Rahim, Md. Abu Zafar Siddique, Jahangir Hossain, and Kashefa Hossain—are also planning to resign and are expected to submit their resignation letters to the President by the end of the day.
This series of resignations follows a significant political shift in Bangladesh, where an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus was formed after the resignation of the Prime Minister. These developments are likely to have a profound impact on the political and judicial landscape of the country.
Justice Hasan Foez Siddique is expected to take over as the new Chief Justice, leading the Supreme Court during this critical period.