A Chittagong court on Monday indicted 39 people including the spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote and former Iskcon leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, in lawyer Saiful Islam Alif murder case.
Chittagong Speedy Trial Tribunal Judge Zahidul Haque framed charges against them after hearing the law-point arguments from both sides.
Though the indictment, the trial in the case started officially, said public prosecutor SUM Nurul Islam.
Unprecedented security measures were taken on the court premises during the hearing and a check-post was set up at the main gate of the court.
Twenty-three accused, including Chinmoy Das, were produced before the court around 9:45am amid tight security.
Sixteen other accused in the case remained absconding.
Slain lawyer Alif’s father, Jamal Uddin, was present at the court.
On November 26, 2024, followers of Chinmoy Das intercepted a prison van carrying him after his bail prayer was rejected by a court in a sedition case.
Lawyer Alif was stabbed to death during a clash between law enforcers and Chinmoy’s supporters on the court premises.
On November 29, 2024, the victim’s father, Jamal Uddin, filed a case naming 31 accused and 15 to 16 unnamed others with Kotwali Police Station.
On July 1, 2025, police pressed charges against 38 people, but the plaintiff of the case filed a no-confidence motion petition.
Three main accused in the case—Chandan Das, Ripon Das and Rajib Bhattarcharya gave confessional statements before the court.