Charge-framing today as Chinmoy brought to court under tight security

Bangla Press Desk: The charge-framing hearing in the sensational murder case of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif is set to take place today against 39 accused, including former ISKCON organiser Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in Chattogram.

The hearing will be held at the Speedy Trial Tribunal and the Special Sessions Court in the port city.

Amid stringent security measures, Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari and the other accused were produced before the court at around 8:45am. Earlier, the entire court was placed under heavy security, with members of the army, police and intelligence agencies deployed. Entry points to the court were placed under strict control.

Speaking to The Daily Sun, lawyer and Assistant Public Prosecutor (APP) Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury said the Alif murder case is a sensitive, widely discussed and shocking incident. “The case is directly linked to the legal community, justice-seeking citizens, communal harmony and state security. The prosecution firmly believes that the charges against the accused will be proven beyond reasonable doubt based on the evidence presented, and justice will be ensured,” he said.

Earlier, on 14 January, the court had ordered the charge-framing hearing. However, Chinmoy was not brought to court that day due to security concerns. The court reviewed the case records in the presence of 22 accused who were produced.

The incident dates back to 26 November 2024, when Chinmoy Krishna Das, who had been expelled from ISKCON, was sent to jail after his bail was rejected in a sedition case. His followers staged violent protests around the Chattogram court premises, vandalising vehicles and clashing with law enforcers. During the unrest, lawyer Saiful Islam Alif was hacked and beaten to death on Rangam Convention Hall Road.

Following the incident, Alif’s father Jamal Uddin filed a murder case with Kotwali Police Station on 29 November, naming 31 accused and several unidentified persons. On 1 July last year, police submitted a charge sheet against 39 accused, making Chinhoy the prime suspect. Sixteen of the accused remain at large.

On 7 January, the case was transferred to the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal for trial.

BP/TD