Chief Justice Sinha finally quits

Amid various speculations and row over the Supreme Court’s 16th amendment verdict, Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha, now abroad, has finally stepped down.

President Abdul Hamid received his resignation letter, said his press secretary Joynal Abedin on Saturday.

Earlier in the day, Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader said the President is yet to receive any resignation letter from Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha.

“We’ve heard about Sinha’s resignation …we’re not sure as the President has not yet received any letter from Sinha,” said Quader while responding to a query from reporters over Sinha’s resignation after attending a programme at Dhaka University.

Chief Justice Surendra Kumar Sinha went on leave on October 3 on health ground and left for Australia on October 13.

His 39-day leave expired on Friday but there was no update about his return.

Sinha was widely criticised by ministers and ruling party leaders for his observations made in the verdict that had annulled the 16th amendment to the Constitution.

SK Sinha assumed office on January 17, 2015 as the country’s 21st Chief Justice. He will go on retirement on January 31 next.

Source: unb