Bangladesh court denies bail to former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in sedition case

Defended by 11 SC lawyers, ISKCON ex-priest Chinmoy Das denied bail

A Bangladesh court on Thursday denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former ISKCON priest, who was arrested on November 25, 2024, in connection with a sedition case. The case involves allegations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag, and the bail rejection has prompted his legal team to plan an appeal to the High Court.

Legal proceedings and bail hearing

The bail hearing, conducted by a panel of 11 Supreme Court lawyers, saw advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee leading the defence. Bhattacharjee stated that he would continue efforts to secure bail for Chinmoy Krishna Das, emphasizing the legal team’s commitment to seeking justice.

“We have come to Chattogram under the banner of Ainjibi Oikya Parishad to move for Chinmoy in court. I already got the Vakalatnama from Chinmoy and will pursue the case without requiring additional local authorization,” Bhattacharjee said.

ISKCON’s reaction

The denial of bail has drawn a strong reaction from ISKCON leaders in Kolkata. ISKCON Kolkata Vice-President Radha Raman Das expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s very sad news. The entire world was watching this case with hope. We expected Chinmoy Prabhu to receive freedom in the new year, but after 42 days, his bail has been rejected.”

He called upon the Bangladesh government to ensure justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das, who remains in custody.

Arrest and case background

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka following the filing of a sedition case in Chattogram on November 25. Earlier, on December 3, the court scheduled the bail hearing for January 2 after the prosecution requested more time, and there was no legal representation for Chinmoy at the time.

Broader context of minority issues in Bangladesh

The arrest and denial of bail come amidst increasing concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh. Hindus, who make up about 8% of the population, have reportedly faced hundreds of attacks across 50 districts since the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government in August 2024.

Chinmoy Krishna Das had previously called on the interim government to take decisive action against fundamentalist groups targeting minorities, urging arrests to build confidence among vulnerable communities.

ISKCON’s continued efforts

ISKCON Kolkata has expressed its continued support for Chinmoy Krishna Das and other minorities in Bangladesh. The organization plans to hold prayers on the first day of 2025 for justice and the safety of Hindus and other minority groups in the country.

“To get justice, the minimum requirement is the proper functioning of the legal system,” ISKCON spokesperson Radharamn Das stated.

The legal battle for Chinmoy Krishna Das is expected to intensify as his team prepares to approach the High Court for relief in the coming days.

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