SC Halts Bail of Chinmoy Das in Sedition Case

The Appellate Division on Tuesday stayed the High court order that had granted bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and a former ISKCON leader in a sedition case.

Chamber judge of the Supreme Court Justice Md Rezaul Haque passed the order after hearing a petition filed by the state.

Advocate MK Rahman stood for Chinmoy while additional attorney general Barrister Anik R Haque and additional attorney general Arshadur Rauf represented the state.

The High Court on April 30 granted bail to Chinmoy Das in the sedition case.

Earlier, on February 4, the HC issued a rule asking the government to explain why Chinmoy should not be granted bail in the sedition case, rejecting his bail plea.

On October 25 last year, a large gathering of the Sanatani community was held in Chattogram under the leadership of Chinmoy Krishna Das.

On October 31, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, on charge of belittling the national flag.

On November 22, another large rally was held in Rangpur under the leadership of Chinmoy who was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 in the sedition case.

A Chattogram court rejected Chinmoy's bail petition, ordered him to be sent to jail and the decision sparked clashes between his followers, law enforcers and lawyers on the court premises on November 26, last year, reports UNB.

At one stage of the clash, one lawyer, Saiful Islam Alif, was hacked to death outside the court premises on that day.

Several cases were filed against Chinmoy and others following the murder of the lawyer.