DHAKA, Sep 6: Bangladesh’s High Court on Sunday granted bail to Hindu rights leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in two additional cases, but he is unlikely to walk out of jail immediately as proceedings continue in other cases against him, local media reported.
A bench comprising Justice KM Zahid Sarwar and Justice Sheikh Abu Taher granted bail to Das in cases related to vandalism and obstruction of police duties, according to bdnews24.
The development comes after the court granted him bail last month in two other cases involving allegations of vandalism, assault and obstruction of government officials.
Das, a Hindu monk and former associate of ISKCON, was arrested in November 2024 on sedition charges over an allegation that he had disrespected Bangladesh’s national flag. His arrest triggered demonstrations and heightened communal tensions in the country.
Following his arrest, several additional criminal cases were filed against him, including allegations of murder, attempted murder and vandalism.
His lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, said Das is facing six criminal cases in total and has now obtained High Court bail in four of them.
Despite the latest bail order, Das will remain behind bars because of the cases in which he has yet to secure relief, The Business Standard reported.
His bail in the sedition case continues to remain stayed. At the same time, proceedings in a murder case against him are underway before the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal.
The murder case relates to the killing of government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif, who was hacked to death in Chattogram during protests by activists following Das’s arrest.
The arrest and subsequent developments had drawn concern from India. New Delhi had expressed “deep concern” over Das’s detention and urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety of Hindus and other minority communities.
The case unfolded against the backdrop of strained India-Bangladesh relations following the August 2024 removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who later sought refuge in India.
Das was previously associated with ISKCON and serves as a spokesperson for Hindu Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote, a group that has organised rallies calling for greater protection and rights for Bangladesh’s Hindu minority.
The organisation held several demonstrations in 2024 amid growing concerns over the safety of minority communities following the political upheaval that led to Hasina’s ouster.