Bangladesh Supreme Court Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan Resigns After Ultimatum By Protesters

Amid ongoing protests in Bangladesh, the country's Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan has decided to step down from his post.

He will tender his resignation after consulting Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin in the evening.

Hassan's decision to resign comes after an ultimatum from protesting students.

Earlier, Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, who is considered close to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, called for a full court meeting with all justices from both divisions of the Supreme Court.

According to local media reports, protesters viewed the convening of the full court meeting as a judiciary coup and announced a siege of the High Court premises. 

Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the student movement, issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of the chief justice and the justices of the Appellate Division.

In the face of student protest, Chief Justice Obaidul postponed the meeting and later said that he would step down.

Meanwhile, Bangladesh Army personnel have been deployed at the Supreme Court premises as hundreds of protesting students gathered. 

According to the local media, army personnel were stationed in the main building, annex building, and other areas around the Supreme Court,

They urged the protesters to maintain a peaceful stance and called on them to avoid wasting government resources.

An interim government is already in place in Bangladesh where clashes during a quota protest claimed at least 400 lives earlier this week and forced Ms Hasina to resign and flee the country. 

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