Clashes erupted between police and Hindu community people on a Chattogram court premises on Tuesday after the court rejected bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in a sedition case. The unrest began when thousands of his followers gathered on the court premises and obstructed the prison van carrying him, demanding his immediate release around 12 pm. After nearly three hours of deadlock, police lobbed teargas shells, fired sound grenades, and charged batons to disperse the protesters, said witnesses. BGB deployed in Dhaka, Ctg amid growing tensions Chinmoy, also spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagaran Mancha, was produced before the Chattogram Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate's Court earlier in the day. The court sent Chinmoy to jail and fixed Wednesday morning for his bail hearing again. Witnesses said hundreds of people gathered outside the court at noon to prevent the prison van from leaving. Chinmoy Krishna was arrested in Dhaka airport area on Monday evening by the Detective Branch (DB) police in connection with a sedition case filed at Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram. The case was filed by local BNP leader Firoz Khan who was later expelled from the party.

India has expressed deep concern over the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. "This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh," claimed the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Tuesday. There are several documented cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and business establishments, as well as theft and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples, the Indian ministry said in a statement. Former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna denied bail, sent to jail in Chattogram "It is unfortunate that while the perpetrators of these incidents remain at large, charges should be pressed against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings," the statement reads. India also expressed concern over what it claimed as attacks on minorities who were peacefully protesting the arrest of Das. "We urge Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression," MEA said in its statement.