Bangladesh HC Rejects Monk’s Bail Plea
Bangladesh’s High Court has rejected the bail petition of detained Hindu monk Brahmachari Chinmoy Krishna Das in connection with the 2024 murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif in Chittagong.
Bangladesh High Court Rejects Bail Plea
The High Court rejected the bail petition on Sunday, noting that the trial is already underway in a lower court in Chittagong and witness testimony is being recorded.
Das’s lawyer said the court declined to grant bail because the murder trial is currently progressing before the lower court. The decision keeps the Hindu monk in custody as the legal proceedings continue.
Chinmoy Krishna Das Faces Murder Case Trial
Chinmoy Krishna Das, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested from Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25, 2024, in connection with alleged sedition charges.
His arrest triggered protests by supporters in Dhaka and Chittagong. During the unrest in Chittagong, junior government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif was killed, leading to a separate murder case.
39 Accused In Saiful Islam Alif Case
Prosecutors have said 39 people were accused in the murder case. Of them, 23 accused, including Das, are in custody, while 16 others are absconding.
The case is being heard in Chittagong, where the recording of witness statements is currently underway. The High Court’s refusal to grant bail means Das will continue to face trial in custody for now.
Other Bail Hearings Still Pending
Das is also facing other cases, and his legal team is expected to pursue bail in those matters separately. The case remains sensitive in Bangladesh because it involves minority rights concerns, allegations of sedition and a murder linked to violent protests.
