Staff Correspondent

President Mohammed Shahabuddin has said that although he has heard of Sheikh Hasina's resignation, he possesses no documentary evidence of the ousted Prime Minister's resignation.

"I have heard that she has resigned. However, I do not have any documentary proof. I made multiple attempts but was unable to obtain it. Perhaps she (Hasina) didn't get the time," he said.

The president said these in a special interview with Manab Zamin Chief Editor Matiur Rahman Chowdhury. The interview was published in the daily's political magazine "Janatar Chokh" on 19 October.

The president was quoted saying, "Around 10:30 am on 5 August, a call came from the Prime Minister's residence (Ganobhaban) to the Bangabhaban. It was said that the PM would visit the Bangabhaban to meet with the president. Upon hearing this, preparations began at the Bangabhaban. Within an hour, a call came saying she would not be coming."

"There is unrest all around. I do not know what is going to happen. I cannot just sit relying on rumours. So, I asked the military secretary, General Adil, to find out more, but he also had no information," the president was quoted as saying.

“We waited and kept an eye on the TV scrolls, but there was no news. At some point, I heard she had left the country without informing me. When Army Chief General Wakar came to Bangabhaban, I inquired if the prime minister had resigned. The answer was the same — I heard she had resigned. It seems she didn’t have the time to inform me,” he added.

He also shared that when things settled down, the cabinet secretary visited to collect a copy of the resignation letter. The president recalled telling him, “I’m searching for it too.”

President Shahabuddin said, “There’s no room for further debate on this matter. Sheikh Hasina has left, and that’s the truth. However, to ensure that this question never arises again, I have sought the Supreme Court’s opinion.”

Following the president’s reference, the Appellate Division, led by Chief Justice Obaidul Hassan, provided their opinion on 8 August.

It stated that, under the circumstances, an interim government could be formed to eliminate the constitutional vacuum and ensure smooth executive functions. The court ruled that the president could administer the oath of office to the chief advisor and members of the interim government.

Notably, former Bangladesh prime minister and Awami league president Sheikh Hasina left the country on 5 August in the face of a student-led mass uprising.