Nine people held for murder of lawyer in connection with arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Das – India TV

In a significant development, at least nine people have been arrested in connection with the murder of a Bangladeshi lawyer during violence in the country’s southeastern port city of Chattogram. According to the information released, the accused were among a group of 46 people, mostly cleaners from the minority Hindu community, against whom Bangladesh police had previously filed a case in connection with the murder of deputy public prosecutor Saiful Islam during clashes between security personnel and supporters of the Hindu community leader Chinmoy Krishna Das after he was denied bail by a Chattogram court and sent to jail.

About the arrest

Police said the arrests came after the defendants were identified through CCTV footage of the courthouse and the scene of the November 26 violence. She mentioned that most of the accused were residents of the city’s Sebok Colony, a place where most of the accused cleanliness workers belonging to the Hindu community live.

“Saiful Islam’s father filed the case last night and named 46 people. Nine of the accused were arrested and a manhunt was on for the others,” said Abdul Karim, officer-in-charge of Kotwali police station in the port city.

In addition, the officer also elaborated on the details of the main accused, identified as Chandan Das. Based on the evidence, he mentioned that Das was seen cutting down the lawyer with a sharp weapon.

There was nationwide outrage

Meanwhile, it is pertinent to note that following the gruesome murder of Bangladeshi lawyer Saiful Islam, a nationwide outrage has erupted in the country with lawyers and political groups taking to the streets demanding strict punitive action against Islam’s murderers. Some of the groups have also called for a complete ban on ISKCON Bangladesh; However, the trust clarified in its statement that Chinmoy Krishna Das was expelled from the organization long before his arrest, adding that ISKCON was not involved in the murder or violence.

(With inputs from PTI)

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