The 65-year-old judge resigned after consulting with President Mohammad Shahabuddin in the evening.

Dhaka: Amid nationwide protests demanding the resignation of Bangladesh Supreme Court Chief Justice Obedul Hasan, the chief of the Supreme Court has resigned under intense pressure from the opposition who have besieged the Supreme Court.

The 65-year-old judge resigned after consulting President Mohammad Shahabuddin in the evening, the Dhaka Tribune newspaper reported. The Chief Justice announced his decision at around 1 pm after protesters of the anti-discrimination student movement gathered in the court premises. Hasnat Abdullah, one of the coordinators of the anti-discrimination student movement, issued an ultimatum demanding the resignation of the Chief Justice and the judges of the Appellate Division.

Abdullah said the protesters threatened to besiege their residences, the Daily Star newspaper reported.

Chief Justice Hasan convened a full court meeting

Earlier, Chief Justice Hasan convened a full court meeting with all the judges from both divisions of the Supreme Court. However, the protesting students saw the convening of the full court session as judicial and announced a siege of the High Court premises.

Faced with opposition from the students, Chief Justice Hasan adjourned the meeting and later announced that he would resign. Bangladesh Army personnel were deployed in the Supreme Court premises as hundreds of protesting students gathered.

Around 1 pm, army personnel were deployed in the main building, annex building and other areas around the Supreme Court. He appealed to the protesters to maintain calm and avoid damage to government property.

Chief Justice Hasan told reporters at the Supreme Court premises that he has decided to resign considering the safety of Supreme Court, High Court and lower court judges across the country in the prevailing situation, Daily Star reported.

(with input from agencies)