A court in Bangladesh on Monday indicted Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and 38 others in connection with the death of a lawyer in southeastern port city of Chattogram in November 2024.
Das, a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25, 2024 for alleged sedition. Das, a former ISKCON leader, was denied bail and jailed by a Chattogram court.
His arrest sparked protests, with his followers demonstrating in Dhaka and other places the next day. The protest turned violent in Chattogram, where the lawyer was killed on November 26.
On Monday, “the court framed charges against Chinmoy under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code and brought charges against 22 others under different sections,” a prosecution lawyer told reporters after the indictment by the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal.
Prosecutors said 39 people were accused of the murder of junior government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif while 23, including Das, were in custody to stand the trial in person. The remaining 16 accused are absconding.
The court order came after Judge Jahidul Haque of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal heard both the prosecution and defence lawyers, 14 months after Alif’s death.
The prosecution objected to the application. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court framed charges against all 39 accused.
Prior to this, the judge read out the charges to the accused present in court.
TV and video footage on social media showed Das being escorted to the courtroom by police’s elite SWAT unit members with an umbrella over his head while armed police kept sharp vigil as crowds, including a group of lawyers shouted words like “murderers”.
Prosecuting lawyer Raihanul Wazed told reporters that it was “a sensitive case” that touched on “communal harmony and national security,” but alleged Das and the 38 other defendants, all his followers, were responsible for Alif's death.
In 2024, Das' Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote had organised several rallies after the ouster of then prime minister Sheikh Hasina decrying alleged attacks and discrimination against Hindu communities.
Hindus make up around eight per cent of the country's around 170 million population, as per 2022 data.
Das’ arrest had caused an issue in Dhaka-New Delhi ties with India earlier expressing its concern over his detention.
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