The Chittagong court in Bangladesh, on Monday, has shown arrested Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in 4 murder cases after the Bangladesh High Court granted bail in a sedition charge.
The bench of Justice Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza approved his release after reviewing documentary evidence, with Das’s counsel arguing that “there is no specific allegation against him for flag dishonour.”
Almost immediately, the state filed an application in the chamber court seeking to stay the bail order. While the chamber court declined to suspend the High Court’s decision, it set a fresh hearing date, effectively delaying Das’s release.
Shown Arrested In Chittagong Murder Cases
On Monday, a judge in Chittagong court “showed” Das as an accused in four separate murder cases connected to the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, the General Secretary of the Chittagong Bar Association, Ashraf Hossain Razzak, told media. These cases stem from the fatal November 26 attack on Alif, who was stabbed by unknown assailants during a protest demanding Das’s release.
Das’s lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, denounced the move as a bid to keep his client behind bars despite the High Court’s bail order. “None of Chinmoy’s lawyers were able to appear in the Chittagong court. The prosecution unilaterally held the hearing,” he said, calling the allegations “completely false.”
Timeline Of Arrest & Proceedings
November 25, 2024: Das was arrested at Dhaka Airport on sedition charges for allegedly insulting the Bangladeshi flag.
November 26, 2024: Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif assassinated during a demonstration demanding Das’s freedom.
April 17, 2025: State assures Supreme Court it will not denotify waqf properties or make appointments to Waqf bodies until May 5—though unrelated, this date underscores the administration’s caution in sensitive cases.
April 2025: High Court grants bail after finding no credible evidence of flag desecration.
May 12, 2025: Chittagong court “shows” Das in four murder cases, blocking immediate release.
Allegations & Counterclaims
Prosecutors allege Das played a role in Alif’s murder by inciting or coordinating the attack. However, no formal police investigation report has been produced in the seven months since his detention. Bhattacharjee emphasized this absence of investigatory findings, stating, “Still, after seven months, there is no police investigation report.”
Das’s supporters argue the murder charges were hastily lodged to circumvent the High Court’s bail decision: “The government is trying to stay in order,” Bhattacharjee said. “We hope he will be freed within a week from Chittagong Central Jail after the order reaches the Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate court.”
Community & Legal Impact
As spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sanatani Jagran Jote, Das commanded considerable followership among Hindu communities. His arrest on sedition grounds—and now the serious murder allegations—have stirred widespread debate over religious freedom, due process, and the politicization of criminal charges.
The coming days will test Bangladesh’s judicial safeguards: whether bail granted by the High Court can withstand procedural maneuvers in lower courts, and whether the murder cases will proceed on their merits or be dismissed for lack of evidence. Meanwhile, Das remains in custody, with his legal team racing to secure his imminent release.
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