Thu Jan 02 07:49:43 UTC 2025: ## Bangladesh Court Rejects Bail for Hindu Monk Accused of Sedition
**DHAKA, Bangladesh** – A Bangladeshi court has again denied bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote, who is facing sedition charges. The Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge Md Saiful Islam rejected the plea Thursday after a heavily secured 30-minute hearing.
Das, a former International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) monk, was arrested on November 25th at Dhaka’s Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in connection with a case filed in Chattogram. The charges stem from an alleged incident on October 25th where a saffron flag was reportedly raised above the Bangladeshi national flag in Chittagong. His arrest sparked protests, including violent clashes on November 27th that resulted in the death of a lawyer.
Das’s bail petition cited health concerns, including diabetes and respiratory problems, and claimed the charges were fabricated. A team of eleven lawyers represented him during the hearing. A previous bail attempt was rejected due to a lack of proper legal representation.
Radha Raman Das, Vice President of ISKCON Kolkata, expressed disappointment at the ruling, urging the Bangladesh government to ensure justice for the monk. He noted the international attention the case has garnered and the hope for Das’s release. The continued detention of Das, even after 42 days, has fueled further concern.
First Piper 