Bangladesh High Court Grants Bail To Hindu Monk Chinmoy Krishna Das After Five Months
Das was arrested in Bangladesh on November 25, 2024, on charges of sedition by the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, sparking an uproar among the Hindu community.
The Bangladesh High Court on Wednesday granted bail to former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das after his arrest last year sparked an uproar and added to the strain in the ties between India and Bangladesh.
Das was arrested in Bangladesh on November 25, 2024, facing serious allegations like sedition that the international community considers “judicial harassment."
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A two-judge bench granted him bail on Wednesday after a hearing. He is expected to get released from jail following the HC order unless the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court does not stay the HC verdict, Advocate Prolad Deb Nath, a lawyer for Chinmoy, told The Daily Star, a Bangladeshi media outlet.
Chinmoy Das’ lawyer Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee had alleged that the Hindu monk was ill and suffering during his imprisonment without any trial.
Das, a monk who led multiple protests against atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh, was arrested by the Dhaka Police’s Detective Branch on November 25 at Dhaka airport. A case was filed against him allegedly disrespecting the Bangladeshi flag during a rally of the Hindu community.
His bail plea was rejected multiple times as ISKCON and other Hindu organisations widely condemned his arrest. He was sent to jail on November 26, and his petition was denied on December 11. There were also reports that he was severely ill and was denied proper treatment in the prison.
Das’ arrest in Bangladesh prompted protests among the Hindu community in both the country and neighbouring India, which urged the interim government’s authorities in Dhaka to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
India also highlighted that the arrest of Das follows multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina’s government in August last year, straining bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.
However, Bangladesh said his arrest was “misconstrued" and that he was actually arrested on specific charges. “The Government of Bangladesh maintains that such unfounded statements not only misrepresent facts but also stand contrary to the spirit of friendship and understanding between the two neighboring countries," said the Bangladeshi foreign ministry.
Bangladesh’s minority Hindus, which constitute only about 8 per cent of the 170 million population, have faced hundreds of attacks in 50-odd districts of the country since the fall of Hasina’s government. Das had demanded the interim government to take action against the fundamentalists.
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