United News of Bangladesh

Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and a former ISKCON leader, has been shown arrested in four more cases. Judge of Chattogram Metropolitan Magistrate SM Alauddin passed the order after hearing a petition in this regard, said Assistant Public Prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed. The lawyer said the investigating officers of the case applied to show Chinmoy Das arrested in four cases, including one for obstructing police from carrying out their duties and attacking lawyers and litigants. Accused Chinmoy joined the hearing virtually from the jail, he said. Security measures were beefed up in and around the court to ward off any unexpected incident. On October 25 last year, a large gathering of the Sanatani community was held in Chattogram under the leadership of Chinmoy Krishna Das. Chinmoy Das secures HC bail in sedition case On October 31, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, on charge of belittling the national flag. On November 22, another large rally was held in Rangpur under the leadership of Chinmoy who was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 in the sedition case. A Chattogram court rejected Chinmoy's bail petition, ordered him to be sent to jail and the decision sparked clashes between his followers, law enforcers and lawyers on the court premises. At one stage of the clash, one lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was hacked to death outside the court premises. Several cases were filed against Chinmoy and others following the murder of the lawyer. 63 lawyers get bail in case filed over Chinmoy issue On April 30, the High Court granted bail to Chinmoy Das in the sedition case. Later, the Appellate Division cancelled the bail.

Three separate cases have been filed in connection with yesterday’s attack on police during a clash at the court premises in Chattogram city, while protesting for the release of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Kotwali police filed these cases, naming 76 individuals and including an additional 1,400 unidentified persons as defendants on Wednesday. DB arrests ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna from near Dhaka airport Kazi Md. Tarique Aziz, Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Public Relations), confirmed these details this evening. According to the police, a total of 27 people have been arrested in connection with the clash, including 20 individuals over attack on police and seven over lawyer Saiful Islam Alif’s murder. The incident occurred yesterday afternoon when a protest by activists demanding the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das clashed with police. During the altercation, 12 police personnel were injured, and a police vehicle was also vandalized.

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.