Dhaka, Nov 26 (V7N)— A Chittagong court has denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatani Jagran Jot and former principal of Pundarik Dham in Hathajari, in a case related to alleged desecration of the national flag at the Independence Pillar at Newmarket intersection. He has been sent to jail following the court's order.

The ruling was issued by Judge Kazi Shariful Islam of the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate's Court around 12:15 PM on Tuesday, shortly after Chinmoy was presented before the court at 11:00 AM. His lawyer, Dilip Kumar Nath, has announced plans to file a miss case petition on Wednesday.

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested by the Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DB) on Monday afternoon from the capital's airport area. The arrest followed a sedition case filed on October 25 by BNP leader Feroz Khan, accusing Chinmoy and 18 others of insulting the national flag during a rally organized by the Bangladesh Sanatan Jagran Manch in Chittagong.

Feroz Khan, who lodged the complaint, was subsequently removed from his position as the general secretary of Mohra Ward BNP in Chandgaon police station. Idris Ali, the acting office in-charge of Nagar BNP, stated that Feroz was dismissed for actions deemed contrary to the party's principles.

The case has garnered significant international attention. The Indian media outlet Times of India reported that the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has expressed concern over Chinmoy's arrest, dismissing the allegations of ISKCON's involvement in global terrorism as baseless. In a statement shared on ISKCON's official X account, the organization demanded Chinmoy's immediate release and urged the Indian government to intervene with Bangladeshi authorities.

“It is reprehensible to make baseless allegations linking ISKCON with terrorism,” the statement read. “We urge the Government of Bangladesh to release Chinmoy Krishna Das immediately. Our prayers to Lord Krishna are for the safety of these devotees.”

Legal proceedings are expected to continue as Chinmoy’s legal team prepares to contest the allegations. Meanwhile, diplomatic pressures may mount as international attention intensifies over his detention.

END/MSS/AJ