CHATTAGRAM: A Chattogram court has once again denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, an expelled ISKON leader and spokesperson for the Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote (SSJJ), who is facing charges in a sedition case. The decision was made by Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam, following a hearing held under stringent security conditions around the court premises.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the bail petition was submitted by Supreme Court lawyers from the Ainjibi Oikkya Parishad, led by advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, who is also associated with the SSJJ. Public Prosecutor Md Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan confirmed the court's decision to the press. A A M Humayun Kabir, Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) of Chattogram Metropolitan Police, emphasized the security measures taken during the bail hearing to prevent any disruptions.
Advocate Nazim Uddin Chowdhury, president of the Chattogram District Bar Association, stated that the defense argued for Chinmoy's release by asserting that he had not breached the sedition law. However, the prosecution countered that the severity of the charges, which could result in a life sentence, made Chinmoy ineligible for bail during the ongoing investigation.
Chinmoy's legal representative, advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, announced plans to appeal to the High Court for bail. The sedition charges against Chinmoy and 18 others stem from allegations of desecrating the national flag, filed with Kotowali police on October 31, 2024. Chinmoy was apprehended by detectives at Dhaka Shahjalal International Airport on November 25 and subsequently transferred to Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
The bail rejection has sparked tensions, with Chinmoy's supporters clashing with law enforcement after an initial denial by a metropolitan magistrate court on November 26. The unrest escalated to the point where protesters vandalized the court premises, damaged lawyers' vehicles, and violently assaulted legal professionals, including the brutal killing of advocate Saiful Islam Alif.
A subsequent bail application was submitted for a hearing on December 3, 2024, but the absence of a lawyer to represent Chinmoy led to a postponement of the hearing to January 2, 2025.