Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Claim
Lawyer defending ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was killed in Bangladesh.
Fact
The deceased lawyer, identified as Saiful Islam Alif, was not representing the ISKCON priest.
Communal tensions in Bangladesh have escalated following the arrest of ISKCON Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das on Monday for allegedly insulting the Bangladeshi national flag. He was sent into custody on Tuesday after being denied bail, ensuing clashes in which a lawyer named Saiful Islam Alif was killed.
Soon after, multiple news outlets such as Republic, Firstpost and OpIndia among others alleged that the lawyer who was defending the Hindu priest was killed in the clashes. The claim was also widespread on social media.
Such posts can be seen here, here, here and here.
Also Read: Massive Anti-EVM Protest In Maharashtra? No, Here’s The Truth Behind Viral Video
Fact Check/Verification
A Google keyword search for “Chinmoy Krishna Das,” “lawyer” and “dead” in Bengali led us to a report by Views Bangladesh, dated November 27, 2024. Citing a statement by the Bangladesh Chief Adviser’s press wing, it stated that the viral claim about the death of a lawyer representing the ISKCON priest was false.
We then looked up the official Facebook account of the Bangladesh CA Press Wing Facts, and found the full statement regarding the claim.
“Some Indian media are claiming that lawyer Saiful Islam Alif, who was brutally murdered in Chattagram today, was representing Chinmoy Krishna Das. The claim is false and is being spread with malafide intention. The vakalatnama produced by Chinmoy Krishna Das to the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Court has shown that advocate Subasish Sharma is his lawyer. We request everyone to refrain from any provocative, false report,” stated the post.
The Vakalatnama (legal document) presented in the court also lists one “Subasish Sharma” as Das’ lawyer. It can be seen below
Shafiqul Alam, the Press secretary at Chief Adviser’s Office – CAO, Bangladesh, also called out the misinformation. “Last night it took an awful lot of time to debunk that slain lawyer Saiful Islam Alif isn’t a lawyer of Chinmoy Krishna Das. We spoke to half a dozen lawyers in Chittagong including Public Prosecutors to get confirmation that he was not a lawyer of Mr Das. We got a list of PPs and APPs. His name wasn’t there…,” he said in a Facebook post.
We also found a BBC Bangla report on the matter identifying Subasish Sharma as the priest’s lawyer. “Chinmoy Prabhu told the court that this arrest may be due to the conspiracy of a third force to suppress the eight-point movement of Sanatani. But the government is doing this wrong. Basically we are not involved in any anti-government movement,” Sharma told BBC Bangla.
Newschecker has contacted Subasish Sharma for his comments on the claim. The copy will be updated upon receiving the same.
Conclusion
Hence, the viral claim that the lawyer defending ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das was killed in Bangladesh is false.
Result: False
Sources
Facebook Post By CA Press Wing Facts, Dated November 26, 2024
Facebook Post By @shafiqul.alam.71216, Dated November 26, 2024
Report By BBC Bangla, Dated November 26, 2024
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Authors
Vasudha noticed the growing problem of mis/disinformation online after studying New Media at ACJ in Chennai and became interested in separating facts from fiction. She is interested in learning how global issues affect individuals on a micro level. Before joining Newschecker’s English team, she was working with Latestly.
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
