Bangladesh court grants bail to Hindu monk Chinmoy Das, release still unlikely
According to Chinmoy Krishna Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, a two-judge High Court bench approved his bail petitions in two cases involving allegations of attempted murder, vandalism and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties, reported news agency PTI.
Bangladesh's High Court on Sunday granted bail to jailed Hindu monk and minority rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in two criminal cases, offering a legal reprieve after months behind bars. However, the order is unlikely to secure his immediate release as he continues to face four other pending cases, including charges of sedition and murder.
According to Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, a two-judge High Court bench approved his bail petitions in two cases involving allegations of attempted murder, vandalism and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties, reported news agency PTI.
"The (two-judge) High Court bench granted his bail petition in two cases involving charges of murder attempts, vandalism and obstructing officials in performing their duties," Bhattacharya said.
Both the prosecution and defence admitted that Sunday's ruling does not pave the way for Das' immediate release because several other criminal proceedings against him are still pending before different courts.
WHY DAS REMAINS BEHIND BARS
Although the latest order marks another legal victory for Das, he remains in custody because he is accused in four additional cases, including treason and murder.
One of the most serious cases relates to the killing of junior government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, who was hacked to death in Chattogram during violent protests that erupted following Das' arrest in November 2024.
Earlier this year, a Bangladeshi court formally indicted Das and 38 others in connection with the lawyer's death. Prosecutors charged Das under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, while several co-accused faced charges under other criminal provisions.
According to prosecutors, 39 people were named in the murder case, with 23, including Das, remaining in custody during the trial. The prosecution described the case as one involving "communal harmony and national security" and alleged that Das and his followers were responsible for Alif's killing.
ARREST THAT TRIGGERED PROTESTS
Das was arrested on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on sedition charges over allegations that he had disrespected Bangladesh's national flag.
The arrest immediately sparked demonstrations by his supporters across several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. What began as protests soon turned violent, culminating in the killing of prosecutor Alif the following day.
Following his arrest, Das was charged in several additional cases, including murder, attempted murder and vandalism. His lawyers have repeatedly sought bail, arguing that he has remained in jail for an extended period despite suffering from health problems. Several earlier bail petitions were either rejected or stayed by the courts.
WHO IS CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS?
Das, formerly associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is now the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jote, a platform representing sections of the country's Hindu community.
After the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 following a student-led uprising, the organisation held a series of rallies demanding protection for religious minorities, alleging attacks and discrimination against Hindus during the political unrest.
Bangladesh's Hindu community accounts for roughly 8 per cent of the country's nearly 170 million people, according to 2022 government data.
Das' arrest further strained relations between India and Bangladesh. India had expressed "deep concern" over his detention and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security "of Hindus and all minorities."
Bangladesh's High Court on Sunday granted bail to jailed Hindu monk and minority rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in two criminal cases, offering a legal reprieve after months behind bars. However, the order is unlikely to secure his immediate release as he continues to face four other pending cases, including charges of sedition and murder.
According to Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, a two-judge High Court bench approved his bail petitions in two cases involving allegations of attempted murder, vandalism and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties, reported news agency PTI.
"The (two-judge) High Court bench granted his bail petition in two cases involving charges of murder attempts, vandalism and obstructing officials in performing their duties," Bhattacharya said.
Both the prosecution and defence admitted that Sunday's ruling does not pave the way for Das' immediate release because several other criminal proceedings against him are still pending before different courts.
WHY DAS REMAINS BEHIND BARS
Although the latest order marks another legal victory for Das, he remains in custody because he is accused in four additional cases, including treason and murder.
One of the most serious cases relates to the killing of junior government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, who was hacked to death in Chattogram during violent protests that erupted following Das' arrest in November 2024.
Earlier this year, a Bangladeshi court formally indicted Das and 38 others in connection with the lawyer's death. Prosecutors charged Das under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, while several co-accused faced charges under other criminal provisions.
According to prosecutors, 39 people were named in the murder case, with 23, including Das, remaining in custody during the trial. The prosecution described the case as one involving "communal harmony and national security" and alleged that Das and his followers were responsible for Alif's killing.
ARREST THAT TRIGGERED PROTESTS
Das was arrested on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on sedition charges over allegations that he had disrespected Bangladesh's national flag.
The arrest immediately sparked demonstrations by his supporters across several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. What began as protests soon turned violent, culminating in the killing of prosecutor Alif the following day.
Following his arrest, Das was charged in several additional cases, including murder, attempted murder and vandalism. His lawyers have repeatedly sought bail, arguing that he has remained in jail for an extended period despite suffering from health problems. Several earlier bail petitions were either rejected or stayed by the courts.
WHO IS CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS?
Das, formerly associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is now the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jote, a platform representing sections of the country's Hindu community.
After the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 following a student-led uprising, the organisation held a series of rallies demanding protection for religious minorities, alleging attacks and discrimination against Hindus during the political unrest.
Bangladesh's Hindu community accounts for roughly 8 per cent of the country's nearly 170 million people, according to 2022 government data.
Das' arrest further strained relations between India and Bangladesh. India had expressed "deep concern" over his detention and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security "of Hindus and all minorities."
Bangladesh's High Court on Sunday granted bail to jailed Hindu monk and minority rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in two criminal cases, offering a legal reprieve after months behind bars. However, the order is unlikely to secure his immediate release as he continues to face four other pending cases, including charges of sedition and murder.
According to Das' lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, a two-judge High Court bench approved his bail petitions in two cases involving allegations of attempted murder, vandalism and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties, reported news agency PTI.
"The (two-judge) High Court bench granted his bail petition in two cases involving charges of murder attempts, vandalism and obstructing officials in performing their duties," Bhattacharya said.
Both the prosecution and defence admitted that Sunday's ruling does not pave the way for Das' immediate release because several other criminal proceedings against him are still pending before different courts.
WHY DAS REMAINS BEHIND BARS
Although the latest order marks another legal victory for Das, he remains in custody because he is accused in four additional cases, including treason and murder.
One of the most serious cases relates to the killing of junior government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, who was hacked to death in Chattogram during violent protests that erupted following Das' arrest in November 2024.
Earlier this year, a Bangladeshi court formally indicted Das and 38 others in connection with the lawyer's death. Prosecutors charged Das under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, while several co-accused faced charges under other criminal provisions.
According to prosecutors, 39 people were named in the murder case, with 23, including Das, remaining in custody during the trial. The prosecution described the case as one involving "communal harmony and national security" and alleged that Das and his followers were responsible for Alif's killing.
ARREST THAT TRIGGERED PROTESTS
Das was arrested on November 25, 2024, at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on sedition charges over allegations that he had disrespected Bangladesh's national flag.
The arrest immediately sparked demonstrations by his supporters across several parts of Bangladesh, particularly in Dhaka and Chattogram. What began as protests soon turned violent, culminating in the killing of prosecutor Alif the following day.
Following his arrest, Das was charged in several additional cases, including murder, attempted murder and vandalism. His lawyers have repeatedly sought bail, arguing that he has remained in jail for an extended period despite suffering from health problems. Several earlier bail petitions were either rejected or stayed by the courts.
WHO IS CHINMOY KRISHNA DAS?
Das, formerly associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), is now the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jote, a platform representing sections of the country's Hindu community.
After the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 following a student-led uprising, the organisation held a series of rallies demanding protection for religious minorities, alleging attacks and discrimination against Hindus during the political unrest.
Bangladesh's Hindu community accounts for roughly 8 per cent of the country's nearly 170 million people, according to 2022 government data.
Das' arrest further strained relations between India and Bangladesh. India had expressed "deep concern" over his detention and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security "of Hindus and all minorities."
