70 lawyers 'falsely sued to bar participation' in Chinmoy’s bail hearing, alleges Sanatani Jagran Jote

The Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, a coalition advocating for the rights of Hindu community, has alleged that approximately 70 Hindu lawyers were "falsely sued in a case to prevent their participation" in a bail hearing for their spokesperson, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari.

They were sued in a case filed under the Explosives Act with Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram.

In a statement issued last night (1 December), two days before the hearing scheduled on Tuesday, the coalition claimed that the lawyers had been named in the case to sabotage their ability to advocate for Chinmoy Das, who is facing sedition charges.

The coalition's organiser, Swatantra Gauranga Das Brahmachari, confirmed the statement to The Business Standard.

Following the rejection of Chinmoy Das's bail application on 26 November, clashes erupted in the court premises between protestors and police, resulting in violence. During these clashes, Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was fatally attacked.

Four days later, Alif's brother, Khane Alam, filed a case under the Explosives Act with Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram, naming 116 individuals as accused. Alif's father also filed a murder case involving 31 suspects.

The coalition's statement alleges that charges were brought over explosive attacks within the court premises on the day of Chinmoy Das's bail hearing. Among the accused are Advocate Subhasish Sharma, journalist Shuklal Das, and Ayan Sharma, who, according to the statement, were implicated for their work supporting minority rights.

The coalition further accused "members of a political group" of assaulting lawyers defending Chinmoy Das. Advocate Rigan Acharya was reportedly attacked for representing Chinmoy Das during earlier proceedings, suffering serious head injuries. The statement alleges that Hindu lawyers in Chattogram are facing threats that hinder their professional duties.