Bangladesh Chief Justice And Judges Given 24-Hour Ultimatum To Resign

In the midst of ongoing political turmoil in Bangladesh, a group of lawyers has issued a 24-hour ultimatum for the Chief Justice and all Appellate Division judges to resign. The demand follows the recent resignation of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the ensuing chaos that has gripped the nation.

The protest was organized by lawyers aligned with Khaleda Zia’s Bangladesh National Party (BNP) under the banner of the “Lawyers Against Discrimination Coordination Council.” Prominent figures, including former Dhaka Bar President Advocate Mohsin Mia and former general secretaries Omar Faruq Faruqi and Khorhshed Mia Alam, led the demonstration, calling for the resignation of Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan and the Appellate Division justices.

Mia asserted that the judiciary has compromised its impartiality by allegedly supporting the agenda of the outgoing Awami League government. He warned that if the judges did not step down within the allotted time, a significant movement against them would be initiated.

In a related development, Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, who is set to take an oath as the chief advisor of Bangladesh’s interim government, paid tribute to those who lost their lives during the recent protests. Yunus described the current moment as a “second independence” for Bangladesh, marking a new victory day for the nation. His remarks came shortly after his return to the country to assume leadership of the caretaker government.

The situation remains fluid, with the recent violence underscoring the deep divisions and unrest in Bangladesh following Hasina’s departure from office.