The Chattogram Divisional Speedy Trial Tribunal on Monday framed charges against 39 people, including former ISKCON organiser Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in the case of murdering lawyer Saiful Islam Alif.
Judge Md Zahidul Haque of the tribunal passed the order, rejecting discharge petitions filed by 23 detained accused, including Chinmoy, assistant public prosecutor Md Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury said.
The court ordered the prosecution to produce their witnesses in phases from February 2 for recording their testimonies, he said.
The charge sheet mentioned Chinmoy as an abettor and instigator in the killing of the lawyer.
It said that the other accused carried out the killing in a group on Chinmoy’s instruction and provocation.
Police produced Chinmoy and 22 others before the court in the morning amid tight security.
To avert any untoward situation, more than 100 members of the police, army and Border Guard Bangladesh were deployed on the court premises.
On October 25, 2024, Chinmoy led a large gathering of the Hindu community in Chattogram.
On October 31, 2024, a sedition case was filed against 19 people, including Chinmoy, on charges of desecrating the national flag.
On November 22, 2024, Chinmoy led another large rally in Rangpur, following which he was arrested at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka on November 25, 2024 in the sedition case.
A Chattogram court rejected his bail petition on the following day and sent him to jail.
The court’s decision sparked clashes between his followers and the members of the law enforcement agencies on the court premises.
At one stage of the clash, lawyer Alif was hacked to death outside the court premises.
Several cases were filed against Chinmoy and others following the murder.
On April 30, the High Court granted bail to Chinmoy in the sedition case, but the Appellate Division later cancelled the bail.
In the murder case, the police on July 1, 2025 filed a charge sheet naming Chinmoy as the prime accused and listing 38 others. During the charge-sheet acceptance hearing, the court rejected the investigation officer’s recommendation to discharge one person, raising the total number of charge-sheeted accused to 39.
Of the 39 accused, 16 are still absconding, said the assistant public prosecutor.
