Bangladesh Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury Resigns Amid Political Turmoil

Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury resigned after the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the dissolution of the parliament. Her resignation follows accusations in a murder case and raises questions about constitutional duties. Several officials from the former cabinet are currently facing corruption and criminal charges.

Bangladesh Parliament Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury resigned on Monday, nearly four weeks after President Mohammad Shahabuddin dissolved the parliament following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

According to Bangabhaban presidential palace officials, Chaudhury submitted her resignation to the president directly.

Her resignation comes amid accusations in a murder case over the death of a jewellery worker during anti-government protests. This case is among many targeting ministers of the former cabinet and Awami League leaders.

Deputy speaker Shamsul Haque Tuku is already in prison, facing similar charges after his recent arrest.

Following the takeover by an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, numerous Awami League leaders are now incarcerated on charges ranging from corruption to murder.

In a related development, a Dhaka court on Monday barred eight ministers and eight lawmakers of the ousted regime from leaving Bangladesh. This action follows separate petitions filed by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Chaudhury's resignation raises the issue of a constitutional vacuum, as she is responsible for administering the oath of office to new parliament members. Despite her resignation, several legal experts suggest she might be required to fulfill her constitutional duties.

Constitutional expert Shahdhin Malik noted in the Prothom Alo newspaper that Chaudhury's resignation and the deputy speaker's imprisonment have led to unforeseen political uncertainty.

Chaudhury has served as the Jatiya Sangsad speaker since 2013 and was re-elected multiple times with the Awami League during Sheikh Hasina's nearly 16-year tenure, which ended after massive student protests against a controversial quota system in government jobs.

In 2013, Chaudhury became the first female speaker of the parliament, succeeding Mohammad Abdul Hamid, who vacated the post after becoming president upon the death of then-president Zillur Rahman near the end of the ninth parliament.

(With inputs from agencies.)