Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Hindu Monk in Sedition Case
Dhaka, 2nd January 2025: A Bangladesh court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, who was arrested on sedition charges. The Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam ruled against the bail after a 30-minute hearing under heightened security measures.
The former ISKCON monk’s defence team, comprising 11 lawyers, argued that the case against him was baseless and fabricated. They also cited his deteriorating health, including diabetes and respiratory issues, as grounds for granting bail.
Radha Raman Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, expressed disappointment over the court’s decision and urged the Bangladesh government to ensure justice for the monk. “It’s heartbreaking. The world was watching, hoping for his release at the start of the new year. Yet, after 42 days, his bail plea has been rejected,” he stated.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested near Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in connection with a sedition case filed on November 25 in Chattogram. Allegations against him include raising a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25.
His initial bail plea was dismissed on December 11 due to the absence of a lawyer’s letter of attorney. Previous hearings had been delayed after his legal representatives received threats.
The monk’s arrest has triggered widespread unrest in Bangladesh, including protests and violent clashes outside the Chattogram Court Building on November 27. These confrontations led to the death of a lawyer, intensifying tensions surrounding the case.
