A wave of misinformation has erupted online following the refusal to grant bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatany Jagaran Jote. Indian media outlets and several verified social media pages and YouTube channels have been linked to spreading false claims about the incident.
On Tuesday, November 26, clashes broke out in Chattogram between Chinmoy Das’s supporters and law enforcement, resulting in the death of lawyer Saiful Islam Alif. However, some Indian media outlets falsely reported that Saiful Islam Alif was killed by police gunfire, spreading misleading information.
Earlier, when efforts were made to move Chinmoy Krishna Das to prison after his bail was canceled, his followers blocked the prison van. After two and a half hours, law enforcement used batons and sound grenades to disperse the crowd and transport him to prison.
Indian media outlets such as Republic World and OpIndia incorrectly reported that Saiful Islam Alif, who died during the clashes, was Chinmoy Krishna Das’s lawyer, claiming that he was shot by police. These false reports quickly spread on social media.
In response, the Chief Adviser (CA) Press Wing Fact Check clarified that these reports were false and misleading. A verified post on the CA Press Wing’s Facebook page stated that, “Some Indian media outlets have falsely claimed that Saiful Islam Alif, who tragically lost his life in Chattogram, was representing Chinmoy Krishna Das. This claim is entirely false and being spread with malicious intent. According to the power of attorney submitted by Chinmoy Krishna Das at the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court, Advocate Subhashis Sharma is his lawyer.”
The fact-check post further urged everyone to refrain from spreading provocative or false reports.
During the confrontation, Chinmoy Krishna Das’s followers protested in the Laldighi area. As law enforcement moved in to control the situation, the protesters dispersed but not before damaging a mosque complex and destroying vehicles. Violent clashes also led to the fatal assault on lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, who was attacked with a machete near Rangma Cinema Hall.
Chattogram Bar Association President Nazim Uddin Chowdhury confirmed that ISKCON supporters were responsible for the murder. According to Chinmoy Krishna Das’s lawyer, Swaroop Kanti Nath, they had filed a bail petition, which was rejected by the court.
Contrary to earlier reports, it has been confirmed that Saiful Islam Alif, the victim, was not Chinmoy Krishna Das’s lawyer but a state lawyer, and he was not killed by police gunfire. He was attacked and killed by unidentified assailants.
