Chattogram: A Chattogram court today placed Dr. Kathak Das, a follower of expelled ISKCON organizer Chinmoy Das Brahmachari, on another three-day remand on charges of attacking joint forces in the city’s Hazari Gali on November 5 last year. The court of Metropolitan Magistrate Kazi Shariful Islam granted the remand for interrogation after a hearing of the case, said Raihanul Wazed Chowdhury, Assistant Public Prosecutor.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the case statement reveals that tension arose on November 5 last year among the local Sanatan religious followers after Osman Goni, a shop owner at Hazari Gali Mia Shopping Center, posted about the Hindu religious organization ISKCON on Facebook. The post led to a gathering of aggrieved individuals in front of the market at night, escalating into agitation around the shop.
The situation intensified when the police attempted to escort Osman away, prompting the Sanatan community members to become increasingly agitated. Allegations were made that during the demonstration, the crowd chased the police and hurled bricks, stones, and acid at members of the joint force.
Following the incident, Sub-Inspector Mizanur Rahman of Kotwali Police Station filed a case on November 6, 2024, naming 49 individuals and accusing an additional 500 to 600 unidentified participants. Dr. Kathak Das was detained by immigration police on February 5 while attempting to travel to the UK via Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport and was subsequently handed over to Chattogram Metropolitan Police.
Dr. Kathak Das, known professionally as an ophthalmologist and phaco surgeon, was serving at Lions Charity Eye Hospital and Bangladesh Eye Hospital before his detention.