Syed Refaat Ahmed sworn in as Bangladesh’s new Chief Justice after predecessor steps down amid pressure

Justice Syed Refaat Ahmed

Syed Refaat Ahmed was sworn in as Bangladesh's new chief justice on August 11, just a day after Obaidul Hassan resigned from the top judicial post following an ultimatum from protesters demanding judicial reforms.

Hassan, along with five other judges from the Supreme Court's Appellate Division, submitted their resignations on August 10, five days after Sheikh Hasina's government was toppled by widespread street protests.

Hassan's resignation occurred as members of the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement gathered at the Supreme Court, issuing a 1 pm deadline for him and the other Appellate Division judges to step down.

Justice Ahmed took the oath of office at a ceremony held in the Darbar Hall of the president's official residence at approximately 12:45 pm local time, according to The Daily Star newspaper.

President Mohammed Shahabuddin administered the oath to the new chief justice, with Cabinet Secretary Mahbub Hossain overseeing the ceremony, the report stated.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus, who was sworn in on August 8 as the head of an interim government following Hasina's ouster, was also in attendance.

On August 10, President Shahabuddin appointed Justice Ahmed as Bangladesh’s 25th chief justice.

In the wake of new protests by students and other demonstrators, several top officials in Bangladesh, including Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. Maksud Kamal and Bangla Academy Director General Professor Dr. Md. Harun-Ur-Rashid Askari, also resigned from their positions.