Bank accounts of Hindu monk, 16 others linked to Iskcon frozen in Bangladesh

Bangladesh authorities have ordered the freezing of bank accounts of 17 people associated with the Hindu spiritual organisation Iskcon, including the recently arrested monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.

The bank accounts have been frozen for 30 days on the orders of the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU), and directives have been issued to various banks, news agency PTI reported.

The move came after a Bangladesh High Court rejected a plea to ban the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, popularly known as Iskcon. The call to ban the organisation was raised after a violent protest broke out following the arrest of the Hindu monk, who was accused of killing an advocate.

The Bangladesh government had argued in court that Iskcon was a fundamentalist organisation.

According to the Bangladesh Financial Intelligence Unit (BFIU)’s order, all types of transactions related to these accounts are frozen for a month, Bangladeshi newspaper Prothom Alo reported.

The agency also instructed the banks and financial institutions to provide information, including updated transaction statements of accounts related to all businesses owned by these 17 individuals, within the next three working days, it said.

The monk, Chinmoy Das, a former member of Iskcon, was arrested on November 25 on sedition charges, claiming that he disrespected the Bangladesh flag during a protest demanding safety for Hindus in Bangladesh. A sedition case was filed against Das and 18 others.

Das was denied bail and has been sent to jail. India has responded sharply to the arrest and urged the government of Prime Minister Mohammad Yunus to ensure the rights and freedoms of minorities in the country.

Iskcon Bangladesh has refuted allegations linking it to the lawyer’s killing, saying the claims were baseless and part of a malicious campaign.

Bangladesh’s financial crackdown on the Hindu organisation comes amid international condemnation over the persecution of Hindus in the country and calls for ensuring their safety.