A Chattogram court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, the former ISKCON leader, following a hearing on January 2, 2025, with heightened security, The Daily Star reported.
The bail application was rejected by Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md. Saiful Islam after approximately 30 minutes of hearing arguments from both sides, according to Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Advocate Mofizur Haque Bhuiyan. Earlier in the day, 11 Supreme Court lawyers had gathered to participate in the bail hearing for Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee told The Daily Star, “We have come to Chattogram under the banner of Ainjibi Oikya Parishad, and we will move for Chinmoy in the court for his bail.”
Previously, on December 3, 2024, the Chittagong court had set January 2 for the bail hearing after the prosecution submitted a time petition, as no lawyer was present to represent Chinmoy at the earlier session.
The unrest in Bangladesh stems from sedition charges filed against Chinmoy Krishna Das for allegedly hoisting a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25. His arrest on November 25 ignited protests, leading to violent clashes between his supporters and law enforcement outside the Chattogram Court Building on November 27, which resulted in the death of a lawyer. The situation escalated further with additional arrests.
