Bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das delayed: No Lawyer present for defense

The bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and head of Pundarik Dham in Chattogram, has been postponed to January 2, 2025. 

The hearing, scheduled for December 3, could not proceed as there was no lawyer present in court to represent Chinmoy. The prosecution also requested more time, leading the court to set a new date for the hearing.

Assistant Public Prosecutor (PP) Enamul Haque confirmed the situation, explaining that since no defense lawyer showed up and the prosecution requested a delay, the court rescheduled the bail hearing. 

Because of this delay, Chinmoy cannot approach a higher court for relief, and with the case pending at the Sessions Court, a bail hearing in the Magistrate‍‍`s Court is also not an option at this time.

Earlier, on November 26, Chinmoy’s bail plea was denied by the court. Following the rejection, clashes erupted between police and nearly a thousand of his followers who were protesting for his release. During the confrontation, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, a newly appointed public prosecutor, was tragically killed in a stabbing incident.

Two separate cases were filed in connection with Alif’s death and the attack on police officers and vehicles. One case, filed by Alif’s father, listed 31 people as accused in the murder. 

Another case, filed by Alif’s brother, named 116 people, including Chinmoy’s lawyer Subhashis Sharma, who is the 33rd accused. Additionally, over 50 lawyers who follow Chinmoy were also named in the case.

On October 25, Chinmoy helped organize a rally at Laldighi Maidan in Chattogram under the banner of the Sanatan Jagaran Mancha. 

Shortly afterward, two groups, Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha and Bangladesh Combined Minority Alliance, began organizing events under the name “Bangladesh Combined Sanatani Jagaran Alliance,” with Chinmoy acting as their spokesperson.

A controversy arose during the October 25 rally when it was alleged that an orange ISKCON flag was flown over the national flag of Bangladesh at Chattogram‍‍`s New Market intersection. This led to a sedition case being filed on October 30 at Kotwali Police Station.

Chinmoy, along with others, was charged under multiple sections of the Penal Code, including 120(b), 124(a), 153(a), 109, and 34. 

In total, 19 people were named in the case, including Ajay Dutta, the coordinator of the Hindu Jagaran Mancha in Chattogram.

On November 25, Chinmoy was detained by the Detective Branch (DB) police at Shahjalal Airport while returning to Chattogram. 

The following day, he was handed over to Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) and was shown as arrested in the sedition case. His bail request was subsequently denied by the court.