SC chamber judge stays HC bail to Chinmoy Das

The Supreme Court (SC) chamber judge has stayed a High Court (HC) order that granted bail to former ISKCON leader Chandan Kumar Dhar, known as Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, in a sedition case filed on charge of defaming the national flag.

Chamber Judge of the Appellate Division, Justice Md Rezaul Haque, passed the order on Tuesday after hearing a petition filed by the state against the HC verdict granting bail to Chinmoy Das.

Earlier on April 30, this year, a HC bench granted bail Chinmoy Das in the case. The HC bench of Justice Md Atoar Rahman and Justice Md Ali Reza delivered the verdict declaring a rule issued over his bail as absolute.

However, hours after the HC verdict, state filed a petition with the Chamber Court of the Appellate Division, seeking stay on the HC order.

Additional Attorney General Aneeq R Haque appeared in the court hearing representing the state, while lawyers Z I Khan Panna, MK Rahman and others represented the former ISKCON leader.

Later, Additional Attorney General Aneeq R Haque told the reporters that the Chamber Judge has stayed Chinmoy's bail until filing of the leave to appeal petition in the case.

Leave to appeal petition will be filed after releasing the full HC verdict, said the state counsel.

Chattogram Metropolitan Sessions Judge's Court rejected Chinmoy's bail plea on January 2 this year in the case. Later on January 12 he filed a petition with the HC seeking anticipatory bail in the case. After primary hearing on the petition the HC on February 4 issued a rule over his bail.

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