New Delhi:
Following the denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, former ISKCON chief, by a Chattogram courtroom, former Indian Excessive Commissioner to Bangladesh Veena Sikri expressed deep disappointment, calling it a “travesty of justice.”
Veena Sikri additionally highlighted the dearth of proof supporting the sedition prices in opposition to Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Whereas talking with ANI, Sikri stated, “Properly, I believe it is very unhappy. It is tragic. It is a travesty of justice that Chinmoy Krishna Das had been as soon as once more denied bail. And you understand, even the rationale for his arrest, they’ve charged him with sedition, however there is not any proof that has been given. They’re speaking about some rally on October 25, however there is not any proof to point out… A case was filed within the Chattogram courtroom and Chinmoy Das was arrested at Dhaka Airport after which taken to Chattogram. At the moment, bail was denied which was very uncommon and there was an enormous conflict between the attorneys and the supporters within the courtroom and a lawyer died in that.”
She added, “…Professor Muhammad Yunus did not even speak concerning the case of Chinmoy Das. He simply spoke a few lawyer who had died and that was all he was expressing his concern about. So it is vitally tragic and really unlucky and in opposition to all of the canons of nationwide justice, all of the canons of humanitarian facets. What is going on in Bangladesh right now with the minorities is absolutely past perception…”
Veena Sikri additionally criticised the authorized proceedings, noting the absence of correct illustration throughout earlier hearings and questioning the equity of the judicial system in dealing with instances involving minorities in Bangladesh.
She additional stated, “When the bail listening to got here for the primary time, there was no lawyer from the aspect of Chinmoy Krishna, and so the listening to was adjourned and postponed January 2, however below any regular justice system and as supplied for within the legislation system in Bangladesh and India, and plenty of different international locations, if Chinmoy Krishna does not have a lawyer of his personal, the state has to offer a lawyer. The listening to should go on, however they did not present. Then right now, I imagine some 11 Supreme Court docket attorneys got here to defend him, however once more bail has been denied and to this point, we now have no cause why bail has been denied…”
In the meantime, International Affairs skilled Robinder Sachdeva criticised the rejection of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s bail plea, and stated that the Bangladeshi judiciary could also be appearing below governmental affect or biased assumptions about Hindu minorities. He argued that the costs in opposition to Chinmoy usually are not extreme and he deserves bail, including that the judiciary’s actions mirror an try to ascertain Islam because the “main faith and tradition” within the nation.
“It looks as if the Bangladesh judiciary is systematically engaged on the directions of the federal government or the assumptions that parts of Hindu minorities and instances in opposition to them should be handled in a sure means. The costs in opposition to Chinmoy Das usually are not critical. He deserves bail… Evidently the judiciary is adhering to the ideologies of a brand new Bangladesh the place they wish to make Islam the first faith, main tradition within the nation,” Sachdeva advised ANI.
Earlier within the day, the bail request was turned down by Chattogram Metropolitan Periods Choose Md Saiful Islam after about half-hour of listening to each events’ arguments, in keeping with Metropolitan Public Prosecutor Advocate Mofizur Haque Bhuiyan.
Eleven Supreme Court docket attorneys have been set to take part within the bail listening to of Chinmoy Krishna Das.
Earlier on December 3, 2024, Chittagong courtroom had mounted January 2 for bail listening to because the prosecution submitted a time petition and there was no lawyer to signify Chinmoy Das.
The unrest in Bangladesh stems from the sedition prices filed in opposition to Chinmoy Krishna Das for allegedly elevating a saffron flag above Bangladesh’s nationwide flag in Chittagong on October 25. His arrest on November 25 sparked protests, culminating in violent clashes between his followers and legislation enforcement exterior the Chattogram Court docket Constructing on November 27, which resulted within the loss of life of a lawyer.
The state of affairs worsened following further arrests. In accordance with ISKCON Kolkata, two monks, Adipurush Shyam Das and Ranganath Das Brahmachari, have been detained on November 29 after visiting Chinmoy Krishna Das in custody. The organisation’s Vice President, Radha Raman, additionally claimed that rioters vandalised an ISKCON centre in Bangladesh through the unrest.
The Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) had additionally voiced concern over escalating violence and extremist rhetoric in Bangladesh, emphasising that it has constantly raised the problem of focused assaults on minorities with Dhaka.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)