Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a widely discussed and controversial ISKCON leader and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Combined Sanatan Awakening Alliance, has been arrested. He was detained on Monday at Shahjalal International Airport, confirmed later by Additional Commissioner Rezaul Karim Mallik of Dhaka Metropolitan Police’s Detective Branch. ISKCON also reported via social media that he had been taken into custody by individuals claiming to be from the Detective Branch.
Chinmoy, the principal of the Pundarik Dham in Chittagong’s Hathazari, faces charges of sedition along with numerous other allegations. Reports indicate his involvement in inciting communal riots in Chittagong’s Hazari Goli, including orchestrating acid attacks on military and police personnel during violent clashes.
Chinmoy also stands accused of disrespecting the national flag of Bangladesh. Allegedly, he replaced the national flag with a saffron flag at an open platform in Chittagong’s New Market area, leading to accusations of undermining Bangladesh’s sovereignty and unity. This resulted in a sedition case filed at the Kotwali Police Station.
Additional allegations against him include land grabbing in Hathazari, as well as allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of orphaned children within the temple premises. Social media posts and public testimonies from affected children and witnesses brought these claims to light, eventually leading to Chinmoy’s expulsion from the ISKCON temple.
Chinmoy’s alleged illegal activities extend to disputes over a pond adjacent to Pundarik Dham, owned by BNP Vice Chairman Mir Mohammad Nasir Uddin. After initially receiving permission to use the pond, Chinmoy and his associates reportedly seized it and filed counter-cases against the rightful owner.
Under the regime of Sheikh Hasina, Chinmoy allegedly collaborated with controversial political figures, later shifting alliances to opposition leaders and engaging in anti-government activities. His involvement in instigating violence during communal conflicts, such as the Hazari Goli incident, has been a focal point of investigations.
During the Hazari Goli riots, extremist ISKCON members reportedly attacked joint forces with acid, leaving 12 military and police personnel injured. Authorities have since identified Chinmoy as the mastermind behind these incidents.
In a press conference on November 8, ISKCON’s central committee disassociated itself from Chinmoy, stating that he had been expelled for organizational misconduct and that ISKCON would not bear responsibility for his actions.
Chinmoy’s arrest has been welcomed by various groups advocating against communalism and inequality, who demand a thorough investigation into his activities and strict punishment for his crimes. There is also a growing call to apprehend his accomplices and other individuals charged in the sedition case.
These developments have brought a sense of relief to many across the country, particularly in Chittagong, where his alleged misconduct and divisive actions have long been a source of tension.