A lawyer was killed in Chittagong city in Bangladesh during a clash between police and demonstrators who were protesting against the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari outside a court on Tuesday.
The deceased lawyer was identified as Saiful Islam Alif. “A Muslim lawyer defending Das was killed amid protests outside the court (in Chittagong),” said police officer Liaquat Ali, according to Mint.
The lawyer sustained severe injuries during the clash and was rushed to Chittagong Medical College Hospital where the doctors pronounced him dead.
Lawyers in the country’s capital city Dhaka demonstrated later in the day, demanding justice for the deceased lawyer.
More than 200 lawyers participated in the demonstration and gave a 24-hour deadline to authorities to arrest those involved in the incident.
They warned that court and other legal operations would be disrupted if their demands are not met.
Advocate Syed Nazrul Islam told Dhaka Tribune: “Identified assailants have murdered one of our own. They must be brought to justice within 24 hours. If not, we will take necessary actions as a united body, and all courts across the country will cease operations.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Bangladeshi court sent Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari to prison after rejecting his bail plea, triggering protests from the minority community and his followers. On Monday, when Brahmachari was leaving the country, he was stopped by the Bangladeshi authorities and was taken to a police station.
Amid protests against his arrest, the Hindu minority leader was presented before Judge Kazi Shariful Islam of the Chittagong Sixth Metropolitan Magistrate’s Court.
India has reacted to the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and urged the Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities in the South Asian country reeling under chaos since the ouster of Sheikh Hasina.
The Ministry of External Affairs expressed deep concern over the arrest of the Hindu monk.
“We have noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. This incident follows the multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh,” MEA said in a statement.
