Former President Shahabuddin leaves Bangabhaban

Former President Md Shahabuddin left Bangabhaban on Sunday, two days after resigning from office. 

His motorcade, which included the presidential car and 18 vehicles from law-enforcement agencies, was seen departing with his family shortly before 2:30pm. 

He is returning to his private residence on Road No 123 in Gulshan, Dhaka, after three years and four months at the official residence—one year and eight months before the end of his five-year term.

Media personnel had waited outside since noon on reports of his departure, while an expectant crowd gathered on the road in front of Bangabhaban. 

Members of the security forces had been standing alert there since midday. 

Security at the Gulshan house has been strengthened since his resignation, with police, RAB and other agencies deployed from Sunday morning. Before becoming president he lived in a flat on the fifth floor of the same building.

Acting President Hafiz Uddin Ahmed will now carry out official duties from Bangabhaban. While contacted over telephone on Saturday, the former president told Daily Samakal that he plans to travel soon to Singapore or Bangkok for medical treatment. 

He has been advised by the Combined Military Hospital to seek care abroad for a complex condition. His wife, Rebecca Sultana, who is also unwell, will accompany him.

Md Shahabuddin resigned voluntarily on Friday, citing physical illness. In his resignation letter he stated that he suffers from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes and kidney complications, as well as autonomic neuropathy following recent heart-bypass surgery, which occasionally causes short periods of unconsciousness. 

Personal files had already been moved to the Gulshan house in preparation for his departure, and cleaning and renovation work there has been completed. He took the oath as the country’s 22nd president on 24 April 2023.

Under Article 54 of the Constitution, the Speaker of the National Assembly serves as acting president when the office falls vacant or the president is unable to perform duties. Speaker Major (Retd) Hafiz Uddin Ahmed is therefore acting president, and a new president must be appointed within 90 days of the resignation.