A Bangladesh court on Wednesday, December 12, 2024, dismissed a petition to expedite the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk arrested on sedition charges. The court confirmed that the hearing would proceed on January 2, as originally scheduled.
Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam turned down the request, explaining that the attorney who submitted the petition did not have the proper authorization from Chinmoy Krishna Das. According to court officials, the petition was invalid due to the absence of formal authorization from the detained monk.
Human rights lawyer Rabindra Ghosh, who has been representing Chinmoy, intends to reapply for bail in the Chittagong court on Thursday, following the rejection of his request on Wednesday. Ghosh, a senior lawyer at the Bangladesh Supreme Court, had previously approached the court to advance the bail hearing, but his request was turned down due to procedural issues.
Chinmoy, a former priest at ISKCON, was arrested on November 25 at Dhaka Airport and charged with sedition. The arrest has sparked significant attention, especially among his followers.
After his petition was rejected, Ghosh visited Chinmoy in jail to obtain the necessary authorization for reapplying. Ghosh confirmed that the jail superintendent provided the required approval, which will allow him to make a fresh plea before the court.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Ghosh faced hostility from a group of around 30 lawyers who entered the courtroom without permission and allegedly attempted to assault him. They accused Ghosh of being an "ISKCON agent" and linked him to the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif during a clash between police and Chinmoy's supporters. Despite the tensions, the judge intervened, and police presence prevented any physical confrontation.
The original lawyer representing Chinmoy was unable to attend the hearing due to a separate murder case, prompting Ghosh to step in. However, he faced significant procedural challenges, which delayed the process.
Chinmoy's legal troubles intensified on November 26 when a Chittagong court denied his initial bail request and ordered him to be imprisoned. This decision led to violent protests from his supporters, who blocked his prison van and clashed with police, resulting in injuries and the tragic death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
On December 3, the court scheduled January 2 for the bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das, after the prosecution sought more time to prepare. Ghosh is working tirelessly to secure an earlier hearing, stressing the urgency of the situation.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Ghosh remains determined to secure justice for Chinmoy Krishna Das. The court will consider his renewed plea on Thursday.