Bangladesh's Judicial Shake-up: Chief Justice and Judges Resign Amid Protests

Bangladesh's Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and five other judges of the Appellate Division resigned following massive student protests demanding judicial reform. The Chief Justice cited safety concerns in his resignation, which has been submitted to the President for further action. The student movement aims to restructure the judiciary.

Bangladesh's judicial system faced a seismic shift on Saturday as Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, along with five other judges from the apex Appellate Division, resigned following mass protests and student demonstrations demanding a judicial overhaul.

The resignation was revealed shortly after 1 pm, as protesters from the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement issued an ultimatum demanding the chief justice step down. Law adviser Prof Asif Nazrul confirmed the resignation on social media, stating that the process was expedited promptly to President Mohammad Shahabuddin.

The political turmoil had previously seen the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the subsequent appointment of Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus to oversee an interim government expected to restore order and prepare for new elections.

(With inputs from agencies.)