HC asks why ex-Iskcon leader Chinmoy should not be granted bail
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was arrested from Dhaka airport on 25 November in a sedition case
The High Court has issued a rule asking why Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson of Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote and a former leader of Iskcon, should not be granted bail in a sedition case filed against him for allegedly disrespecting the national flag.
The bench of Justice Md Ataur Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza issued the rule today (4 February).
Advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee represented Chinmoy in court, while Additional Attorney General Mohammad Arshadur Rauf and Anik R Haque appeared on behalf of the state during the hearing.
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Previously, on 2 January, the Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge rejected Chinmoy's bail plea following which his lawyer filed the bail petition with the High Court on 12 January.
Chinmoy is accused of sedition in a case filed on 31 October for allegedly desecrating the national flag. He was arrested from Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on 25 November by detectives. He was handed over to Chattogram Metropolitan Police the following day.
Following his remand hearing on 26 November, a clash between law enforcers, lawyers, and Chinmoy's followers resulted in the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
On 3 December, the court postponed Chinmoy's bail hearing to 2 January 2025, as no lawyer represented him during the earlier proceedings.
Later, on 12 December, Supreme Court lawyer Rabindra Ghosh submitted an authorisation letter on behalf of local lawyer Sumit Acharya. The court then ordered the presence of the lawyer for verification of the document.
After delays in his earlier hearing on 3 December, today's proceedings marked the latest legal developments in this high-profile case.
