Alif murder: Chinmoy, 38 others indicted

A Chattogram court yesterday framed charges against 39 accused, including former Iskcon leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in a case filed over the killing of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif outside the court premises in November 2024.

All 23 arrestees, including Chinmoy, were present at the courtroom. 

Judge Md Jahidul Haque of the Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal also set February 2 for recording the complainant’s statement. 

Assistant Public Prosecutor Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, also the complainant’s lawyer, told The Daily Star, “The court framed charges against Chinmoy under sections 302 and 109 of the Penal Code and brought charges against 22 others under sections 147, 148, 149, 302/34.” 

Abdus Sattar, president of Chattogram District Bar Association, said Chinmoy was represented by Dhaka-based lawyer Apurba Bhattacharya.

The prosecution and defence placed their arguments before the indictment, he added.

Ahead of Chinmoy’s appearance, security was beefed up in the court area to prevent any untoward incident. 

Police checked ID cards of lawyers and staff and restricted access through two entry points to the court premises.

Chinmoy and the other accused were taken to the courtroom around 9:45am under tight security.

During the hearing, the judge asked the accused about legal representation. As Chinmoy’s lawyer was still on the way, Chinmoy placed his arguments and sought further investigation, claiming that he had no involvement in the Alif murder.

Chinmoy further added that he did not know the other accused and he never met them before. He also sought punishment for those involved in the murder.

Lawyer Apurba told the court that his client is the spokesperson for Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote. The lawyer claimed that Chinmoy’s name was mentioned in the murder case with intention to stop the Sanatani movement. 

“It’s a mala fide intention, as Chinmoy’s name was not mentioned in FIR or in the section 164 statements given by three accused.”

Mahfuzur Rahman, former Chattogram Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner (Kotwali zone), the investigating officer, submitted a charge sheet implicating 39 people, including Chinmoy, in the murder case.

On November 26, 2024, Alif, a Chattogram court lawyer, was killed during clashes outside the Chattogram court premises following the rejection of Chinmoy’s bail in a sedition case.

The sedition case stemmed from a complaint filed on October 31, 2024, by Firoz Khan, former general secretary of BNP’s Mohora ward, accusing Chinmoy and others of disrespecting the national flag during a Hindu community rally in the city’s New Market area on October 25.

After Chinmoy was sent to jail, his supporters blocked a prison van and staged protests demanding his release. Police action to disperse the crowd led to clashes involving Chinmoy’s supporters, police, and a group of lawyers.

Police lodged three cases over vandalism, attacks on police, and obstruction of official duties, naming 79 individuals and around 1,400 unidentified persons.

Alif’s father filed a murder case against 31 people, while his brother Khan-e-Alam lodged another case accusing 115 individuals, including 70 lawyers.

In the charge sheet, police said the killing occurred following instigation and provocation by Chinmoy.