The court also recorded testimony from the prosecution’s second witness, who broke down while recounting the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.

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A Chattogram court today (20 July) rejected a bail petition filed by Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, suspended ISKCON leader and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagran Jote, in the case over the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.

Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Fazle Khoda Mohammad Nazir passed the order after recording the testimony of the prosecution’s second witness, Advocate Shahidul Alam Rahat.

Chinmoy Krishna Das joined the hearing virtually from jail, while the other accused were produced before the court under tight security.

According to complainant’s lawyer and Assistant Public Prosecutor Advocate Mohammad Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, the prosecution’s second witness became emotional and broke down repeatedly while describing the events surrounding Alif’s killing.

“An emotional atmosphere was created in the courtroom during his testimony, and many lawyers present were also seen becoming emotional,” he told The Business Standard.

Following the testimony, defence lawyers cross-examined the witness. However, lawyers representing Chinmoy Krishna Das sought additional time to complete the cross-examination.

The court granted the request, fixed 20 August for the continuation of the cross-examination and rejected Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail petition.

According to the case records, 27 of the 39 accused named in the charge sheet are currently in jail, while 12 remain absconding. The trial is currently at the stage of recording prosecution witnesses’ statements and their cross-examination.

The investigating officer, then Assistant Commissioner (Kotwali) of the Chattogram Metropolitan Police Mahfuzur Rahman, submitted the charge sheet against 39 accused on 1 June 2025, and the court accepted it on 25 August that year.

Lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was killed on 26 November 2024 after violence erupted at the Chattogram court premises following the rejection of Chinmoy Krishna Das’s bail petition in a sedition case.

According to the prosecution, Alif was attacked on Rangam Convention Hall Road under Kotwali Police Station and was hacked and beaten to death with sticks, bricks, machetes and other sharp weapons by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das.

The killing sparked nationwide outrage.

Following the incident, Alif’s father filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station, naming 31 accused and 10 to 15 unidentified persons. Later, police expanded the list to 39 accused in the charge sheet submitted to the court.

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