Chinmoy Krishna Das, a hindu monk receives no relief from Bangladesh sessions court on Tuesday. According to Daily Star Bangladesh the Chattogram court set the new date as January 2, 2025 for the next hearing due to the absence of the defence lawyer from the court. Saiful Islam a session judge from Chattogram Metropolitan, has set the new date for the hearing.
Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chittagong Metropolitan Police, Mofizur Rahman, confirmed the information to the media.
Ahead of the hearing, police increased security at the court, with additional patrols seen in the area. A procession of lawyers also gathered, but Chinmoy Das was not produced in court during the proceedings, as reported by The Daily Star.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested after a local politician filed a complaint on October 31. The complaint accused him and others of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag during a rally by the Hindu community.
The arrest has sparked strong criticism from India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which condemned the charges and the denial of bail. Many have called for Chinmoy Krishna Das’ immediate release, with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) expressing solidarity.
ISKCON posted on X, “ISKCON, Inc. stands with Chinmoy Krishna Das. Our prayers to Lord Krishna for the protection of all these devotees.” ISKCON also reported that two other monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, along with Chinmoy Krishna Das’ secretary, were arrested.
In another development, a petition has been filed in Bangladesh calling for a ban on ISKCON, labeling it a “radical organization.” The petition accuses ISKCON of promoting religious events aimed at inciting communal unrest, imposing beliefs on traditional Hindu communities, and forcibly recruiting lower-caste Hindus.
(With ANI Inputs)