Dhaka: Chinmay Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, is scheduled to appear in a Chittagong court on Thursday for a bail hearing connected to a sedition charge.
Das was arrested on November 25 at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka and has been held in custody amid calls for justice.
His bail petition, backed by a team of 20 lawyers from Dhaka and Chittagong, argues that the case against him is false and fabricated. His main attorney, Ravindra Ghosh, previously faced restrictions that prevented him from submitting an anticipatory bail petition. Advocates have raised concerns about Das’s health issues, including diabetes and respiratory ailments, and argue that he is being unjustly imprisoned.
ISKCON Kolkata has expressed optimism for a fair resolution, with spokesperson Radharamn Das reaffirming their support for Chinmay Krishna Das and other religious minorities in Bangladesh. The organization has been holding prayers for their safety and justice.
Earlier, on December 11, a Bangladeshi court denied Das’s initial bail request due to procedural errors. Reports indicate that the rejection was due to a lack of valid power of attorney and legal representation.
The situation was further complicated when attorney Subhashish Sharma missed a December 3 hearing over security concerns.
Prosecutor Mofizul Haque Bhuiyan noted that the absence of proper documentation and legal counsel affected prior proceedings. Meanwhile, India has called for a fair and transparent trial, stressing the importance of respecting the legal rights of all parties involved.
Advocates and supporters remain hopeful that the court will take Das’s declining health and the procedural issues surrounding the case into account.