Chinmoy Krishna Das gets 5-hour parole after mother's death, breaks down outside jail

Bangladeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, who has been in police custody for the past two years, was released from jail on five hours' parole following the death of his mother. His mother, Sandhya Rani, died on Thursday, September 10, after a long illness.

Before her death, Chinmoy Das had sought parole to visit her, but that application had been completely rejected and he was not allowed to leave jail. Parole was granted only after her death. His distress at not having been able to see his mother in her final days was visible on his face, and he broke down in tears as soon as he stepped out of jail. Footage of the moment was shared on social media, drawing emotional reactions from many.

According to Bangladeshi media reports, Chinmoy Krishna Das was released from jail on just five hours' parole to attend the funeral. As soon as the funeral was completed, he was taken back into police custody. On coming out of jail, he went to the temple of his deities Radha-Krishna and wept there. He bowed before the deity at the Pundarik temple and expressed his grief. According to the family, his mother Sandhya Rani's funeral was held at Pundarik Dham.

Chinmoy's elder brother, Ranjan Kumar, had filed an application on September 9 seeking his release on parole, but the Chattogram district administration rejected it, and their mother died the very next day. After her death, Deputy Commissioner Zahidul Islam Miah allowed Chinmoy to step out for five hours.

Chinmoy Das was arrested on November 25, 2024. He faces a charge of disrespecting the national flag, in connection with which he was ordered held in police custody on a sedition charge. Several other serious cases were filed against him after his arrest, which is why he has not been able to secure early release from jail.

Chinmoy's family said his mother died on Thursday at a hospital in Hathazari, and that her jailed son could not fulfil her last wish. His brother said, "My mother is no longer in this world. Even while she was alive, my brother did not get the chance to meet her." On Wednesday, the family had sought parole so Chinmoy could meet his mother, but the administration responded that there was no provision to grant a prisoner parole to meet an ailing relative.