Wed Apr 30 12:18:34 UTC 2025: ## Bangladesh High Court Grants Bail to Hindu Leader After Months of Detention

**DHAKA, BANGLADESH** – Chinmoy Krishna Das, a former leader of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) and spokesperson for the Hindu organization Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, has been granted bail by the Bangladesh High Court. Das was arrested on November 25, 2024, on charges of defaming the national flag, sparking widespread protests and raising concerns from India.

The High Court’s decision, announced on April 30, 2025, follows months of legal battles and heightened tensions. Das’s arrest, stemming from a case filed in October 2024, led to violent protests in Chattogram, resulting in the death of assistant government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif. The incident occurred less than three months after a mass student protest led to the ousting of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and the installation of an interim government.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed concern over Das’s detention in November, citing multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh. The MEA criticized the charges against Das, stating that he was presenting legitimate demands through peaceful gatherings.

Das’s legal team, led by former Deputy Attorney General Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, argued that the charges were baseless, claiming the item in question was not a national flag. The defense team faced challenges, including initial denial of bail and reports of intimidation preventing other lawyers from representing Das. ISKCON distanced itself from Das, stating he had been expelled from the organization months prior to his arrest. The government prosecutor’s death also fueled calls for a ban on ISKCON. The High Court’s bail order concludes this significant chapter in Bangladeshi politics and religious tensions.

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