Chinmoy Das and 38 others charged in Chattogram lawyer murder case

A Chattogram court on Monday indicted 39 people, including Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote spokesperson and former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, in the murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.

Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Zahidul Haque framed the charges after hearing legal arguments from both sides. With the indictment, the trial formally began, public prosecutor SM Nurul Islam said.

Unprecedented security measures were put in place on the court premises during the hearing, with a check-post set up at the main gate. Twenty-three accused, including Chinmoy Das, were produced before the court around 9:45am under tight security, while 16 others remained absconding.

The slain lawyer’s father, Jamal Uddin, was present in court.

The case stems from events on November 26, 2024, when followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying him after a court rejected his bail petition in a sedition case. During a clash between law enforcers and Chinmoy’s supporters on the court premises, lawyer Alif was stabbed to death.

On November 29, 2024, Jamal Uddin filed a case with Kotwali Police Station, naming 31 accused along with 15 to 16 unidentified persons. Police submitted a charge sheet against 38 people on July 1, 2025, though the plaintiff later filed a naraji (no-confidence) petition.

Three key accused—Chandan Das, Ripon Das and Rajib Bhattacharya—have given confessional statements before the court.