Chinmoy Das Released on Parole Following Mother’s Death
Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, an expelled ISKCON member and accused in a sedition case, was released from Chattogram Central Jail on a five-hour parole on Thursday to attend his mother’s last rites. Following an application from his family, the Chattogram District Administration approved the temporary release. Jail authorities received the parole letter at 3:30 PM, and he was escorted out by 3:40 PM. Confirming the decision, Mr. Asif Jahan Sikder, Staff Officer of the Chattogram District Administration, stated that the Deputy Commissioner granted the release strictly based on the family’s appeal.
Under tight police protection, Mr. Chinmoy was transported to the Sri Sri Pundarik Dham Ashram in Hathazari to participate in the funeral of his mother, Ms. Sandhya Rani Dhar. Chattogram Central Jail Jailer Mr. Syed Shah Sharif reported that Chinmoy was released only after all due procedures were meticulously completed. To prevent any untoward incidents, law enforcement agencies enforced heightened security measures. Mr. Kazi Md. Tareq Aziz, Additional Superintendent of Police of the Hathazari Circle, noted that extra precautions and enhanced security arrangements were actively deployed along his entire travel route and at the funeral venue.
Earlier on Thursday at around 9:15 AM, his 70-year-old mother passed away at the ashram following a prolonged battle with cancer, which was diagnosed during her treatment at Chattogram Maa-O-Shishu Hospital. Upon receiving news of her critical illness, Mr. Chinmoy’s family had initially applied for his parole to visit her, submitting a subsequent application for the last rites following her demise. In response, the authorities granted the brief parole. Concerned officials confirmed that upon the exact expiration of the five hours, Mr. Chinmoy would be immediately escorted back to the Chattogram Central Jail.
Before his monastic life, Chinmoy was known as Mr. Chandan Kumar Dhar. He previously served as ISKCON’s Chattogram Divisional Organizing Secretary and is currently the spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote. He was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 in a sedition case involving the disrespect of the national flag during an October 25 rally. Furthermore, after his bail plea was rejected, a violent clash erupted on the court premises, leading to the death of lawyer Mr. Saiful Islam Alif. Chinmoy remains incarcerated, facing multiple active cases, including the resulting murder charge.
