Lagatar24 Desk
Dhaka: A Bangladeshi court has once again rejected the bail plea of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, formerly associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon), in a sedition case. The state argued that granting him bail could lead to anarchy.
Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested on November 25 at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The charges against him include sedition, with public prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations.
“We argued in court that granting bail could incite unrest. In the past, his actions brought thousands of supporters to protest, triggering violence on court premises. Given these circumstances, we opposed his bail plea,” Bhuiyan told The Associated Press.
State’s Concerns and Legal Arguments
The prosecution highlighted the gravity of the sedition charge, which carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. “The state objected to the bail, saying it was a sedition case,” said Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of the Chattogram District Bar Association.
Das’s lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, stated that they plan to appeal the court’s decision in the high court.
Legal Challenges and Security Measures
Das’s legal team faced significant challenges. During his initial appearance in November, lawyers defending him reported threats and intimidation. Several were charged following clashes near the courthouse, which resulted in the death of a Muslim attorney.
At Thursday’s hearing, eleven legal representatives traveled from Dhaka under police protection, underscoring the sensitive nature of the case.
Background and Allegations
The state claims Das’s actions posed threats to Bangladesh’s security and sovereignty. Protests triggered by his supporters during his earlier court appearances have raised concerns over potential unrest.
Chinmoy Krishna Das’s arrest and subsequent denial of bail have drawn attention to the intersection of law, religion, and public order in Bangladesh.
