After Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh Chief Justice to resign following 'one-hour ultimatum' by protesters

The political crisis underway in Bangladesh following the massive student-led protests is showing no signs of improving as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Obaidul Hassan, is set to step down.?The chief justice said Saturday he had agreed to resign "in principle" after a one-hour ultimatum to do so from protesters.

CREDIT: REUTERS

Why protesters want Chief Justice to resign?

Obaidul Hassan was told to step down by protesters who gathered outside the court in the capital, Dhaka.?Local media reported that the protesters had threatened to besiege the Chief Justice's residence if he failed to resign before the deadline.

Justice Hassan, who was appointed as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court last year, is seen as a loyalist of Sheikh Hasina, who was ousted from power by the protesters.

As a judge, Hassan oversaw the much-criticized war crimes tribunal that ordered the execution of Hasina's opponents, and his brother was her longtime secretary.

Also read:?Who is Nahid Islam, student leader who led protests that ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Central Bank Governor and Police Chief resign?

He will be the third high-profile resignation in Bangladesh following the ouster of Hasina from power on Monday.

On Friday, Bangladesh Bank Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder had resigned from his post under similar circumstances.

CREDIT: AP

Talukder stepped down Friday and cited “personal reasons” two days after protesters stormed the central bank’s headquarters in Dhaka, demanding his resignation.

Another Hasina appointee, who was instrumental in the crackdown on the protests, Bangladesh Police Chief, IGP Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, had also resigned on Tuesday night.

There are also reports that most of Hasina's cabinet members have gone underground following her resignation.

'Build new Bangladesh'

Meanwhile, Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus on Saturday appealed for calm.

Also read:?Who is Muhammad Yunus and why protesters want him to be the interim Prime Minister of Bangladesh

CREDIT: REUTERS

The Nobel laureate, who returned from Europe this week to helm the interim administration in Bangladesh, said: "Our responsibility is to build a new Bangladesh."

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