Syed Refaat Ahmed, the senior most judge of the High Court, was sworn in as the new Chief Justice of Bangladesh on Sunday. This appointment came just a day after his predecessor, Obaidul Hassan, resigned from his position. Hassan, considered a loyalist of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, faced mounting pressure from protesters demanding his removal.
The student-led Anti-Discrimination Student Movement had organized protests, demanding the resignation of Hassan and other judges of the Appellate Division. Their ultimatum for resignation by 1 pm on Saturday was met with the resignation of Hassan and five other judges. This event marked the latest change in the country’s leadership, following a series of resignations from officials seen as linked to the previous regime.
Hassan’s tenure was marked by controversy, including his role in overseeing a war crimes tribunal that sentenced several of Hasina’s political opponents to death. The tribunal’s decisions were widely criticized by human rights groups.
The current political turmoil began with a wave of student-led protests against the Hasina government, which had been accused of widespread human rights abuses and corruption during its 15-year rule. Protests culminated in the dramatic flight of Hasina to India on Monday, leaving a power vacuum in the country.
Following Hasina’s departure, Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was sworn in as Chief Adviser to a caretaker administration. Yunus has prioritized the restoration of law and order as the administration’s first task, aiming to stabilize the country amidst the ongoing political unrest. The appointment of Ahmed as Chief Justice signifies another step in the transition towards a new political era in Bangladesh.
