Bangladesh Court declines request to expedite bail hearing of arrested Hindu Monk Chinmoy Das

A Bangladesh court declined a request on Wednesday to reschedule the bail hearing for Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on November 25 at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka. The Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge, Saiful Islam, rejected the plea as the representing lawyer lacked a signed power of attorney from Das.

Advocate Rabindra Ghose, who filed the request, argued that Das was falsely accused and suffering from multiple health issues, including diabetes and asthma. However, another lawyer informed the judge that Ghose had not obtained the required authorization from the detained monk. The court official confirmed that the plea was denied due to this procedural lapse. Ghose later admitted he had not visited Das in prison to secure the power of attorney and stated he would now do so.

The bail hearing, initially scheduled for December 3, was postponed to January 2, 2025, after prosecutors reported the absence of any legal representation for Das on the original date.

Arrest sparks protests and tensions

Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), was arrested on sedition charges for allegedly disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag. Following his arrest, protests erupted across the country, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. In Chattogram, the demonstrations turned violent, resulting in the death of a lawyer. This incident fueled demands for a ban on ISKCON, which distanced itself from Das, stating he had been expelled from the organization six months earlier.

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The sedition case against Das also implicated 18 others, including a local leader of the opposition party BNP. This leader was expelled from the party for undisclosed reasons. A case was filed at the Kotwali Police Station in Chattogram, accusing Das and others of dishonoring the national flag during an event on October 31.

India’s response to the arrest

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over Das's arrest and the subsequent violence against minorities protesting peacefully. The ministry called on Bangladesh to ensure the safety of its Hindu population and criticized the actions taken against a religious leader presenting legitimate demands through non-violent means. The MEA highlighted that the true perpetrators of communal incidents often remain unpunished, while religious leaders face undue legal challenges.

Das's supporters and human rights groups continue to demand his release, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and protection of minority rights in Bangladesh.