DHAKA, Bangladesh (Diya TV) — Bangladesh’s High Court on Sunday granted bail to jailed Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das in two criminal cases. However, the ruling will not lead to his immediate release because he still faces four other pending cases, including charges of treason and murder.
The decision marks the latest development in a legal battle that has drawn attention in both Bangladesh and India. Das has remained in jail since his arrest in November 2024. His detention triggered protests and fueled concerns about the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh. At the same time, the case became a sensitive issue in relations between Dhaka and New Delhi.
Das’s lawyer, Apurba Kumar Bhattacharya, said a two-judge High Court bench approved his client’s bail petitions in two cases. Those cases involve allegations of attempted murder, vandalism and obstructing public officials from carrying out their duties.
Even so, the court’s decision does not clear the way for Das to leave prison. Lawyers from both sides confirmed that four additional criminal cases remain pending. As a result, he will stay in custody until courts decide those matters.
Authorities first arrested Das on sedition charges in November 2024. Prosecutors accused him of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. His arrest quickly sparked demonstrations in several areas. Supporters claimed the case targeted a prominent Hindu religious leader, while authorities defended the legal action.
Soon after the arrest, investigators filed several more cases against Das. Those include charges linked to murder, attempted murder and vandalism. The cases remain at different stages in Bangladesh’s judicial system.
One of the most serious accusations relates to the killing of a government prosecutor in the southeastern port city of Chattogram. Authorities say the prosecutor died after attackers hacked him to death during protests that followed Das’s arrest. Investigators later connected the incident to one of the criminal cases involving the Hindu monk.
Das’s legal team has repeatedly requested bail over the past several months. His lawyers argue that he has spent a long period in jail while dealing with health problems. They also maintain that he deserves temporary freedom while the courts hear the remaining cases.
Earlier attempts to secure bail did not succeed. Courts either rejected those petitions or placed them on hold. Sunday’s ruling therefore represents a limited legal victory for the defense, although it does not change Das’s custody status for now.
Das previously had ties with the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, widely known as ISKCON. Later, he became the spokesperson for Sammilito Sanatan Jagaran Jote, a Hindu organization that advocates for minority rights in Bangladesh.
The group organized several public rallies during 2024 after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left office. Protesters called for stronger protection of Hindus and other religious minorities. They also urged authorities to improve security following civil unrest that spread after student-led demonstrations forced Hasina from power in August 2024.
Meanwhile, the political changes in Bangladesh also affected relations with neighboring India. After Hasina sought asylum in New Delhi, diplomatic ties between the two countries became strained. Political differences between India and Bangladesh’s interim government added to those tensions.
India reacted strongly after Das’s arrest. The Indian government expressed deep concern over the detention. It also urged Bangladesh to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and other minority communities across the country.
The case has continued to attract attention because it combines legal, political and religious issues. Human rights observers and community leaders have closely followed each court hearing. Supporters of Das continue to seek his release, while prosecutors insist that the legal process should continue without interference.
For now, the High Court’s latest order provides Das with bail in only two cases. Nevertheless, the remaining charges still prevent his release. The courts will continue to review those cases in the coming months. Until then, the Hindu monk will remain in prison as Bangladesh’s judicial process moves forward.
