A Bangladesh court has charged 39 individuals, including Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent Hindu leader, in connection with the alleged murder of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif outside a court in Chattogram in November 2024. The charges were framed by Judge Md Jahidul Haque of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal during the proceedings. Assistant Public Prosecutor Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury confirmed that charges were brought against Chinmoy under Sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code, with 22 others facing charges under different sections.
Law enforcement deployed extensive security in the court area ahead of Chinmoy’s appearance to prevent disruptions, with around 900 personnel, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) members, and army personnel on duty. Despite his lawyer being delayed, Chinmoy addressed the court himself, requesting further investigation and denying any involvement in Alif’s murder. The incident occurred during clashes outside the Chattogram court premises after Chinmoy’s bail was denied in a sedition case.
Chinmoy, who was arrested in Dhaka on November 25, 2024, and subsequently denied bail, has been at the center of protests by the Hindu community in Bangladesh. The country has seen a surge in attacks against the Hindu community since the political upheaval in August 2024, leading to the removal of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the establishment of an interim government under Muhammad Yunus. India has expressed concerns about the treatment of Hindu minorities under the current administration.
