Pioneer In Short
Bangladesh president resigns
Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on Friday, citing serious health complications, nearly two years before the end of his five-year term. Parliament Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed assumed charge as Acting President for up to 90 days under Article 54 of the Constitution, during which a new President must be elected. In his resignation letter, Shahabuddin, 76, said he was suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney complications and autonomic neuropathy, which causes occasional loss of consciousness, leaving him physically and mentally unfit to discharge his constitutional responsibilities. Ahmed, 80, cut short a medical visit to Bangkok to return to Dhaka and formally accepted the resignation.
He said the Speaker’s constitutional oath also empowers the office-holder to serve as Acting President when required. Shahabuddin, a former judge and 1971 Liberation War veteran, assumed office in April 2023 after being elected by the previous parliament. The last constitutional office-holder from Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League Government, he remained in office after the 2024 student-led uprising that ousted Hasina. His resignation follows recent political speculation over his position, including reports of contacts with the deposed premier, which he had denied.
Delhi Internet curbs face HC challenge
The Software Freedom Law Center, India (SFLC.in) on Friday moved the Delhi HC challenging the curbs on mobile internet services in parts of central Delhi during the ongoing CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar over the alleged NEET paper leak and examination irregularities. The PIL was mentioned for urgent hearing before a bench led by Chief Justice DK Upadhyaya, which agreed to list the matter on Friday. However, it could not be taken up during court hours due to procedural defects. SFLC.in sought quashing of the Union Home Ministry’s orders issued on July 17, 20, 22 and 23 directing suspension of mobile internet services within a 1.5km radius of Jantar Mantar. The petition termed the shutdown “unconstitutional, illegal and arbitrary”, arguing that it violated fundamental rights to free speech, assembly, livelihood and personal liberty.
It alleged the Centre failed to justify the shutdown by demonstrating any public emergency or considering less restrictive alternatives. The PIL also sought greater transparency by requesting that future internet suspension orders be published promptly on an official website and that the Government produce the records and approvals underlying the impugned orders.
