Shahabuddin resigns over ‘ill health’

President Mohammed Shahabuddin resigned on Friday citing serious health complications, ending months of political speculation over his future.

Following his resignation, Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Hafiz Uddin Ahmad, Bir Bikram, immediately assumed the responsibilities of acting President under Article 54 of the Constitution.

Announcing the development at a press conference in the oath room of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, Hafiz Uddin said Shahabuddin submitted his resignation letter at 5:01pm, after which he assumed the constitutional responsibilities of the presidency.

“President Mohammed Shahabuddin has submitted a resignation letter to me at 5:01pm on Friday. As a result, I have assumed the responsibilities of the President in accordance with Article 54 of the Constitution,” he said.

Hafiz Uddin added, “I think that even though he was elected during the mafia government, he has always expressed support and respect for the government elected by the people. I wish him well.”

Referring to the resignation letter, he said Shahabuddin had cited multiple health complications, including heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and kidney-related ailments.

He said the former president had previously undergone coronary bypass surgery and was recently diagnosed with autonomic neuropathy, a condition that occasionally causes him to lose consciousness.

“Due to the effects of these diseases and the resulting physical and mental incapacity, he has resigned and, as the speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, I have accepted his resignation letter,” the acting President said.

He explained that the speaker’s oath also authorises the office-holder to discharge the responsibilities of Acting President whenever required under the Constitution. If the office of the Speaker becomes vacant, the deputy speaker will perform the speaker’s duties in accordance with constitutional provisions.

Addressing speculation surrounding the President’s resignation, Hafiz Uddin said the resignation had been made solely on health grounds.

“A President can fall ill, and the written resignation itself clearly explains the medical reasons behind the decision. In such a case, no additional medical certificate is required,” he said, expressing hope that the move would end all confusion and speculation.He also stressed that the office of the President never remains vacant under the Constitution.

Jatiya Sangsad Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam, Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal and senior officials of the Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat attended the press conference.

In a separate statement, President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam confirmed that Shahabuddin had resigned because of health complications and that the speaker accepted the resignation at 5:01pm on Friday.

Later, Hafiz Uddin was accorded a floral reception after assuming the responsibilities of Acting President. Among those who greeted him were Deputy Speaker Barrister Kayser Kamal, Chief Whip Md Nurul Islam, Attorney General Barrister Md Ruhul Quddus Kazal and Jatiya Sangsad Secretariat Secretary Barrister Md Golam Sarwar Bhuiya.

What Shahabuddin said

In his resignation letter addressed to the Speaker, Shahabuddin said he had served the country with “honesty, devotion and full allegiance to the Constitution” since taking oath as the 22nd President on 24 April 2023.

He referred to the constitutional developments following the 5 August 2024 mass uprising, saying the country had faced a constitutional crisis after the fall of the previous government.

“With the aim of resolving the crisis, I sought the opinion of the Appellate Division of the Bangladesh Supreme Court under Article 106 of the Constitution. Subsequently, an interim government was formed on the advice of the Appellate Division... The interim government organised the general election to Parliament in consultation with political parties,” he wrote.

He added that the current government was formed following the election and that, owing to his “firm and constructive role”, the country had avoided a constitutional crisis.

Explaining his decision to step down, Shahabuddin said he had been suffering from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney complications and autonomic neuropathy.

“Due to this disease, I sometimes lose consciousness for short periods. Because of the physical and mental incapacity caused by the severity of the diseases, it is not possible for me to perform the duties of such an important constitutional office. I require long-term medical treatment.”

He concluded that, under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, he was resigning from the office of President.

Shahabuddin had been elected unopposed as the 22nd President on 13 February 2023 as the Awami League nominee and took office on 24 April 2023. His five-year term was due to expire in April 2028.A freedom fighter, he retired as a district and sessions judge in 2006 before serving as an Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner between 2011 and 2016. He had also held several positions in the Awami League, whose activities are currently banned in Bangladesh.

His resignation follows months of political pressure after the August 2024 mass uprising that toppled the Sheikh Hasina government, with several political parties demanding his removal.

Constitutional provisions

Under Article 50(3) of the Constitution, the President may resign by submitting a signed letter to the Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad. Article 123(2) requires a new President to be elected within 90 days if the office falls vacant due to death, resignation or removal.

Article 48(1) provides that the President is elected by members of Parliament, while Article 54 stipulates that the Speaker performs the President’s functions until a new President is elected or whenever the President is unable to discharge the duties of office because of illness, absence or any other reason.

Political reactions

Major political parties welcomed Shahabuddin’s departure, although their reactions differed in tone.

BNP Standing Committee member Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain said, “He has resigned for his health complications. So, we have no comment in this regard.”

“The new President will be elected in the upcoming session of Jatiya Sangsad,” he added.

At a press conference, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer and Leader of the Opposition Shafiqur Rahman described the resignation as the lifting of “the black shadow of fascism”.

“We are not interested in the reason why Shahabuddin resigned. We had already concluded that he was no longer fit to be President,” he said.

Congratulating Hafiz Uddin on assuming the role of Acting President, Shafiqur said he hoped the Speaker would discharge his responsibilities with fairness, impartiality and integrity.

“We assure the nation that as long as he performs his duties impartially by upholding the dignity of the presidency, we will continue to provide him with all possible support,” he said.

He also emphasised that a new President must be elected within 90 days and called for a “dignified President, not a flatterer”, adding that reform should end the culture of political patronage.

Asked whether Shahabuddin could face legal action, he replied, “No one is above the law. We will determine our course of action after due consideration,” alleging that the former President had failed in his constitutional responsibilities during the July-August mass uprising.

Islami Andolan Bangladesh Secretary General Maulana Gazi Ataur Rahman also welcomed the resignation, saying it had been expected after the fall of the previous regime.

He argued that although the President occupies the country’s highest office, constitutional limitations have rendered the position “literally toothless”, upsetting the balance of power.

Ataur expressed hope that ongoing constitutional reform discussions, including proposals to strengthen the presidency reflected in the July National Charter, would be considered while appointing the next President.

Meanwhile, speaking at a press conference at its office in Banglamotor on Friday night, National Citizen Party (NCP) Member Secretary and lawmaker Akhter Hossen demanded immediate arrest of Shahabuddin Chuppu and to brought him to justice.

“If a fascist and an associate of fascism like Shahabuddin Chuppu is not brought to justice, justice for those who sacrificed their lives in the 2024 mass uprising will remain incomplete,” he added.

Bangladesh Khelafat Majlis Ameer Maulana Mamunul Haque and Secretary General Maulana Jalaluddin Ahmad said Shahabuddin should have resigned much earlier.

In a joint statement, they called for his immediate arrest and an impartial investigation into all allegations against him before any legal proceedings, alleging that he had lost the moral legitimacy to remain in office after the July mass uprising.

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Shahabuddin to leave Bangabhaban on tomorrow, entitled to state benefits

Mohammed Shahabuddin is expected to move into his personal residence in Gulshan on Sunday after stepping down from Bangabhaban. 

A visit to Green Villa, House 41 on Road 123 in Gulshan-2, on Friday evening found preparations under way, with tight security from the Special Security Force, Special Branch and police already in place around the house.

Security guard Md Masum said Shahabuddin had visited the house four days earlier and that preparations were complete, with law enforcement personnel now deployed there.

Sources at Bangabhaban said Shahabuddin would bid farewell to presidential staff today before leaving the official residence tomorrow. 

He is likely to rest at the Gulshan residence for a few days before travelling to Singapore or the UK for further medical treatment, having previously undergone heart treatment and bypass surgery in Singapore in October 2023 and health check-ups in London in May this year.

As a former president who served more than six months, Shahabuddin qualifies for retirement benefits under the President’s Pension, Gratuity and Other Benefits Act, 2016. 

A former president is entitled to a monthly pension equivalent to 75% of his last basic salary – Tk90,000, based on the current presidential salary of Tk120,000 – though he must choose between this and any pension from an earlier government post, not both.

He also retains a personal assistant and attendant, government-funded office expenses, and medical facilities on par with a cabinet minister. Further entitlements include a diplomatic passport, a subsidised residential telephone connection, free accommodation at government circuit houses and rest houses while travelling domestically, and access to government vehicles for official functions.

These benefits lapse if he takes up another salaried government post, or if he is convicted by a competent court of an offence involving moral turpitude.

BRIEF TIMELINE : PRESIDENT MOHAMMED SHAHABUDDIN

13 Feb 2023: Elected unopposed as Bangladesh’s 22nd President

24 Apr 2023: Takes oath 

5 Aug 2024: Hasina government falls amid mass uprising; pressure mounts on Shahabuddin

Aug 2024-Jul 2026: Political parties repeatedly demand his resignation 

May 2026: Reports emerge of a phone conversation with Hasina during his London visit 

24 July 2026: Resigns citing serious health complications and long-term treatment needs