Bangladesh: Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das's bail hearing postponed as no lawyer appears to defend him. Here's why

The bail hearing of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a Hindu priest accused of sedition in Bangladesh, has been postponed to January 2, 2025, as no lawyers appeared in court on Tuesday. Meanwhile, ISKCON claimed that a Bangladeshi lawyer who was appointed to defend Das was attacked by Islamists at home and was in the ICU.

As other lawyers refused to appear for him, a Chattogram court deferred to January 2 the hearing on Chinmoy Krishna Das's bail petition. Chattogram Metropolitan Session Judge Saiful Islam set the new date for the hearing as the defence lawyer was absent from the court.

Chittagong Metropolitan Police's Additional Deputy Commissioner (Prosecution) Mofizur Rahman later confirmed the information to Bangladesh media.

Earlier, police ramped up security on the court premises ahead of the hearing. Additional police patrols were seen at various points in the court area. A group of lawyers were also seen bringing out a procession. However, the accused was not produced in the court, reported the Daily Star.

Provide security to Chinmoy Krishna Das: ISKCON Kolkata VP

Meanwhile, ISKCON Kolkata Vice President Radharaman on Tuesday urged the Bangladesh government to provide security to Chinmoy Krishna Das' advocate citing the recent attack on his previous advocate.

Reportedly, Chinmoy Krishna Das' previous advocate, Raman Roy, is currently in serious condition in the hospital's intensive care unit after being attacked.

Speaking to ANI, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata said, "We hope that Chinmoy Krishna Das will get justice today. We have seen that he is in jail for a long time. We have information that his previous advocate, Raman Roy, was attacked and is in the ICU in serious condition. We request the Bangladesh government to provide security to the advocate of Chinmoy Krishna Das...We have no information on how is he being treated in the jail. We hope that he will describe his situation today when he reaches the court. We are concerned about his health and security."

Chinmoy Krishna Das, associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25. The arrest followed a complaint filed on October 31 by a local politician who accused Das and others of disrespecting Bangladesh's national flag during a rally of the Hindu community.