A case was initiated against Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and numerous followers in Bangladesh regarding the alleged altercation last month between law enforcement and the monk’s backers in Chattogram, who faced sedition charges.
The lawsuit, initiated by Enamul Haque, an activist of Hefazat-e-Islam, identified Das as the primary suspect along with 164 known individuals and around 500 unnamed people, as reported by a Bangladeshi newspaper.
Haque claimed that he was assaulted by followers of Das on November 26 at the Chittagong court grounds for donning traditional clothing. He asserted that the attack resulted in a broken right hand and head injuries, necessitating hospital care. Haque linked the postponement of the complaint to his extended recovery period.
Also read: Assad arrives in Moscow, get asylum with family
Previously, authorities filed three cases on November 27 at the Kotwali Police Station against multiple individuals after confrontations concerning Das’ arrest. On December 3, a businessman filed another case claiming an assault occurred near Rangam Cinema Hall, involving political activists and ISKCON members.
The violence intensified following the arrest of Das, a past ISKCON member and representative of the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25. Nationwide protests broke out, with one demonstration in Chattogram resulting in the death of Assistant Government Prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif.
Das bleibt in Haft, nachdem ein Gericht seine Kautionsanhörung auf den 2. Januar verschoben hat, aufgrund fehlender rechtlicher Vertretung.
The relationship between India and Bangladesh has worsened since the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power in August, after the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Ongoing assaults on Hindus and Das’ detention have heightened tensions.