ছবি: File photo
The government has informed the High Court of the filing of three separate cases in connection with the recent violent clash at the Chittagong court premises and the murder of a lawyer. A total of 33 individuals have been arrested in relation to these incidents. This update was provided to the High Court on Thursday, November 28, by the state’s representatives, Additional Attorney General Barrister Anik Ar Hock and Deputy Attorney General Md. Asad Uddin. The High Court, consisting of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debashish Ray Chowdhury, expressed satisfaction over the swift actions taken by the government in handling the situation. However, the Court emphasized that such efforts must continue, maintaining vigilance to prevent any further loss of life or property.
The conflict and subsequent murder unfolded following the court hearing on the bail application of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a prominent figure associated with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The court had denied bail to Das and ordered his remand in police custody. After the court decision, his supporters began protesting in the court premises, resulting in violent clashes and property damage. During this chaos, Advocate Saiful Islam Alif, a 35-year-old assistant public prosecutor (APP), was brutally murdered. His death occurred as part of the clash on November 26, 2019, in the Kotwali police precincts of Chittagong. Alif, hailing from the Lohagara upazila of Chittagong, was a member of the Chittagong District Bar Association.
On the morning of the incident, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari was escorted under heavy security to the 6th Metropolitan Magistrate Court in Chittagong, where his bail plea was rejected by Judge Kazi Shariful Islam. After the court’s decision, the police moved Das to a police van, but his supporters initiated a violent protest, leading to the breaking of windows and the destruction of several properties within the court compound. During this turmoil, Advocate Saiful Islam Alif was fatally attacked with a sharp weapon.
Following the lawyer’s murder, the legal community and the public have expressed their concern over the escalating violence in the region. In response, a lawyer named Monir Uddin filed a petition with the High Court on November 27, calling for the immediate banning of ISKCON and the imposition of Section 144 (prohibition on public gatherings) in three districts. The High Court, which was closely monitoring the situation, asked the state to provide updates on any developments regarding these requests. In their report, the state officials assured the Court that steps had been taken to prevent further violence and maintain peace, and they would continue monitoring the situation closely.
The Chittagong court clash and the murder of the lawyer have sparked widespread debates on the role of ISKCON in the ongoing protests, particularly following Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari’s activities with the newly formed Bangladesh Sanatani Jagaron Jot, a political and religious coalition advocating for the rights of Hindus and other minority communities in Bangladesh. ISKCON has distanced itself from the actions of Brahmachari, with the organization’s central leadership expelling him from the group due to alleged disciplinary violations.
While the incident has garnered significant media attention, the High Court has stressed that the primary concern remains public safety and preventing further incidents of violence. The state has assured that stringent security measures will be in place, and that any further disturbances will be dealt with decisively.
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