Hindu spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das has been granted bail by the Bangladesh High Court after spending six months in custody. He was arrested for allegedly insulting the national flag, sparking nationwide protests and global concern.
Dhaka [Bangladesh]: On April 30th Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested in November last year in a sedition case, has now been granted bail by the Bangladesh High Court. According to reports by media, the decision was given by a bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza.
Das was taken into custody on November 25 at Dhaka airport for allegedly insulting the national flag of Bangladesh.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of ISKCON and current spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jote, had earlier applied for bail in the Chittagong court. However, the lower court rejected his plea on January 2. Later, his lawyers took the matter to the High Court.
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His lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, told media that in February the Bangladesh High Court had asked the government to explain why bail should not be given.
said Bhattacharjee,
“Bangladesh High Court has asked the government to respond to the ruling within two weeks,”
At the January 2 hearing in Chattogram (Chittagong), Das’ legal team strongly argued that he was not guilty of sedition. They said he had immense respect for Bangladesh and did not deserve to be treated like a traitor.
said his lawyer,
“We mentioned to the court that the priest respects the motherland like his mother and is not a traitor,”
Despite these arguments, the lower court led by Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam rejected the bail plea. The hearing was held under tight security, and the prosecution was represented by Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Advocate Mofizur Haque Bhuiyan.
The case attracted widespread attention across the country, especially due to its sensitive religious and political implications. After Das’ arrest, violent protests broke out outside the Chattogram Court Building on November 27.
These clashes between his supporters and the police led to the tragic death of a lawyer and caused diplomatic tension between India and Bangladesh.
Chinmoy Krishna Das, also known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, is currently the President of Pundarik Dham and has been a known advocate for religious freedom and the protection of minority rights in Bangladesh.
He had previously served as the divisional organising secretary of ISKCON in Chattogram. However, ISKCON Bangladesh later clarified that Das had been removed from all official positions in the organisation.
Born in May 1985 in Karianagar village in Satkania Upazila, Chattogram, Chinmoy Krishna Das began his spiritual path at an early age. He was admired for his speaking skills as a young boy and formally joined ISKCON at the age of 12 in 1997 after taking diksha (spiritual initiation).
His arrest last year led to international concern, including a strong reaction from India. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) of India issued a statement expressing unhappiness about the rejection of his bail request.
The statement said the government was “deeply concerned” and highlighted ongoing violence against minorities in Bangladesh.
According to the MEA,
“The arrest occurred against the backdrop of widespread violence against Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh.”
The statement also pointed out that
“these attacks, including arson, looting of minority-owned properties, theft, vandalism, and desecration of temples and deities, have continued unchecked.”
It further added,
“It was noted that despite these attacks, religious leaders like Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, who advocate for peaceful change, are facing charges, while the perpetrators of violence remain unpunished.”
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This case has not only sparked public debate within Bangladesh but also brought attention from international communities and human rights advocates.
The decision to grant bail may bring some relief to his followers and those concerned about religious freedom in the region. However, the legal proceedings in the sedition case are still ongoing and will be closely watched by many.
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