A court in Chattogram, Bangladesh, has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a former monk of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), despite a vigorous defense by a team of 11 Supreme Court lawyers. The ruling came after a 30-minute hearing on January 2, 2025, under heavy security. Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam rejected the plea, following arguments from both the prosecution and defense.
The case revolves around sedition charges against Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is accused of raising a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s national flag in Chittagong on October 25, 2024. This act sparked widespread protests and violent clashes between his followers and law enforcement, culminating in the death of a lawyer during the unrest on November 27. The situation further deteriorated with the detention of two other ISKCON monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, who were arrested after visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in custody.
The tensions surrounding the case have drawn international attention, with India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressing concern over the escalating violence and the targeting of religious minorities in Bangladesh. ISKCON officials have also reported vandalism at one of their centers in the country, adding to the growing unease.
As the legal proceedings continue, the case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing unrest, drawing both local and international scrutiny.
