The High Court on Thursday declined to intervene in the ISKCON-related complaints, citing that the government assured of addressing the matter as a top priority.
The bench of Justice Farah Mahbub and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury expressed satisfaction with the government鈥檚 response and instructed it to continue efforts to safeguard citizens鈥� lives and properties.
The court had on Wednesday sought an update from attorney general Md Asaduzzaman on聽 measures taken regarding the killing of assistant public prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif.
The High Court directive followed a plea by lawyer Md Monir Uddin, who appealed for judicial intervention to ensure justice for Alif.
On Thursday, deputy attorney general Asad Uddin informed the court that three cases had been filed against 76 individuals in connection with the murder and the subsequent violence.
So far, 33 suspects have been arrested, including six individuals identified from CCTV footage.
鈥楾he investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected from the interrogation of the arrested suspects,鈥� said Asad.
He also assured the court that law enforcement agencies remain vigilant to prevent further unrest.
Attorney general Md Asaduzzaman later told reporters that banning ISKCON is a matter of government policy and beyond the jurisdiction of the High Court.
鈥楾he lawyer鈥檚 plea is premature. The court must allow the government to act on this matter,鈥� he said, adding that the authorities are investigating ISKCON鈥檚 legal status and will take appropriate steps based on the findings.
The High Court emphasised its expectation that the government would take all necessary measures to protect the lives and property of citizens, urging continued vigilance in addressing the situation, the AG said.
The court also thanked Monir for drawing its attention to the ISKCON issue and expressing concern over the recent violence.
Speaking to the journalists, Monir called for robust action, including the imposition of a 15-day state of emergency in Dinajpur, Rangpur, and Chattogram districts, and a ban on the International Society for Krishna Consciousness for their alleged involvement in the killing.
He cited media reports as his information source and said that the tension escalated following a statement from India鈥檚 Ministry of External Affairs.
Speaking to reporters, Monir said, 鈥業SKCON activists killed my colleague, as reported in newspapers. If ISKCON is not banned, their actions will spiral out of control.鈥�
He further claimed that tension between Muslims and Hindus could lead to broader communal violence if ISKCON鈥檚 activities were not contained.
Alif was hacked to death during a violent clash on the Chattogram court premises on Tuesday. The violence erupted on Tuesday when followers of former ISKCON leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, now a spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, clashed with law enforcement agencies.
The confrontation occurred after a Chattogram metropolitan magistrate rejected Chinmoy鈥檚 bail plea and ordered his detention in a sedition case filed by a Bangladesh Nationalist Party leader.
