A Chattogram court on Thursday rejected the bail prayer of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former ISKCON leader, in a sedition case. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions’ Judge Md Saiful Islam passed the order after a hearing on it, said Public Prosecutor Md Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan. Earlier, a group of 11 lawyers from Dhaka’s Supreme Court went to Chattogram to join the bail hearing of Chinmoy while the judge entered the courtroom around 9:45am. An additional number of law enforcement agencies, including police, Border Guard Bangladesh and Army were deployed around the court to ensure a tight security measure. As per the schedule, the court held the hearing today and rejected the bail prayer of Chinmoy. Besides, the justice seekers were allowed to enter the court upon showing documents. On December 3, a Chattogram court set January 2 as the next date of hearing in the case after the prosecution had sought time due to the absence of the defendant’s lawyer. Read: Ex-ISKCON leader Chinmoy among 164 sued in another case On October 25 last year, a large gathering of the Sanatani community was held in Chattogram under the leadership of Chinmoy Krishna Das. 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. The 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. Read more: Chinmoy Das’ bail hearing deferred to January 2 At one stage of the clash, one lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was hacked to death outside the court premises. Several cases have so far been filed against Chinmoy and others following the murder of the lawyer.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the Hindu community leader and former head of ISKCON in Bangladesh was arrested on charges of sedition, not as a community leader, clarified Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan, Adviser to the Ministry of Youth and Sports and Local Government. He made the statement during a meeting held on Tuesday at Chawla Union, Pirgacha Upazila of Rangpur, where winter clothes were distributed among the needy. Asif Mahmud said, "The government will take strict action against any act of sedition that threatens Bangladesh's sovereignty and independence. We want to make it clear that anyone involved in such acts, regardless of their status or leadership position, will not be spared." He emphasized that law enforcement actions are taken based on national security, not community considerations. Addressing regional disparities, the adviser said, "Previously, development was concentrated in areas associated with prime ministers or ministers. We aim to eliminate such inequities and ensure balanced development across the country." During the event, around 600 winter garments and blankets were distributed to underprivileged families. Afterward, the adviser visited the Panialen Ghat area in Rangpur’s Pirgacha and Kurigram’s Ulipur to inspect the proposed site for a bridge over the Teesta River.