Anti-state case detainee Johnny Chandra alleges persecution over religion

Johnny Chandra Sutradar, also known as Johnny Nath, has demanded his release after spending thirteen months in prison, claiming he has been targeted solely for being a Hindu minority while detained in an anti-state case filed during the interim government. 

In an open letter, he alleged that authorities imprisoned him on nine fabricated detention cases and a trumped-up sedition charge.

Johnny is among 286 individuals charged in connection with a Zoom meeting organised by the "Joy Bangla Brigade," during which ousted prime minister Sheikh Hasina and others allegedly engaged in anti-state activity. 

Yesterday, a hearing to determine the charges against him and other defendants was scheduled at the Third Additional Metropolitan Sessions Judge Court in Dhaka. Police presented Johnny and 29 others, but the hearing was postponed until 15 April after the defence requested more time.

After the hearing, Johnny attempted to highlight his plight by tossing his open letter to journalists while being escorted back to detention. In it, he wrote, "I want my freedom. I have been imprisoned for thirteen months without guilt, targeted solely for being a Hindu minority in Bangladesh. The authorities have filed nine false detentions and a fabricated sedition case against me. They have no evidence of my involvement in politics or any meetings. I am a mere sales representative of a small pharmaceutical company. These false charges threaten my career and my child's future. I urge the Prime Minister and Home Minister to investigate fairly and secure my release. I just want to live."

Speaking to The Business Standard, Johnny's wife, Trishna Sutradar, described the family's hardships. "On 7 February 2025, police took my husband from our home, saying he would be released the next morning. Instead, false cases were filed repeatedly, and now he remains in jail. We couldn't even admit our five-year-old to school. We borrowed money for bail, sold all we could, and are now destitute. We haven't seen him in seven months," she said, pleading for his release.

Johnny's lawyers, Morshed Hossain Shaheen and Obaidul, told TBS that their client, listed as accused number 182, faces no concrete evidence and is entitled to bail like the other defendants. 

The case, filed on 27 March 2025 by CID Assistant Superintendent Enamul Haque and later expanded, alleges anti-state activity during the 19 December 2024 Zoom meeting, which reportedly instructed followers to overthrow the interim government, and whose contents circulated widely on social media.