Bangladeshi Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was granted five-hour parole this week to attend his mother’s funeral after spending nearly two years in jail. An emotional video from his brief release has surfaced on social media, showing Das in tears as he touches the feet of a Radha-Krishna murti at Pundarik Dham temple in Chattragram before returning to prison.

Das’s 71-year-old mother, Sandhya Rani Dhar, died at a hospital in Hathazari on Thursday. Her final wish was to see her jailed son. However, authorities had rejected the family’s request to allow Das to visit her during her final days. Chattogram District Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Zahidul Islam Mia later ordered his five-hour release so he could attend her last rites, The Daily Star reported.

Sandhya Rani Dhar’s last rites were held at Pundarik Dham, according to her son Ranjan Kumar Dhar. Das’s emotional visit to the temple was captured on video. The footage shows the monk crying as he touches the feet of the Radha-Krishna idol before leaving to return to jail.

Das’s family had made a fresh request for conditional parole on Wednesday after his mother’s health deteriorated. The request was submitted to Chittagong Deputy Commissioner and ex-officio President of the Prison Management Committee, Mohammad Zahidul Islam Miah. However, Bangladeshi daily Samakal reported that the administration told the family there was no provision to grant parole to a prisoner to visit a sick relative.

His family said the prolonged imprisonment deeply affected his mother. His brother Anjan Kumar Dhar told Kalbela, "My mother is gone. My brother could not even see his mother while she was alive." Kalbela, citing sources, reported that Sandhya Rani Dhar was mentally shattered by her son’s prolonged incarceration. Reports of his illness, repeated bail denials and his continued detention added to her distress. She had remained hopeful about his release after his latest bail hearing, but the denial increased her worries.

Das, a former ISKCON associate and spokesperson for the Bangladesh Sammilito Sanatani Jagaran Jot, was arrested in November 2024 on sedition charges. Authorities accused him of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. His arrest triggered protests and communal tensions. His group had organised rallies demanding minority rights, safety and protection from civil unrest after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following violent student-led street protests in 2024.

Das faces six criminal cases. The High Court has granted him bail in four cases so far. He remains in jail despite securing bail in four cases, with other cases preventing his release. His bail in the sedition case remains stayed. The trial in a murder case is also underway before the Chattogram Speedy Trial Tribunal.

The murder case relates to the alleged killing of government prosecutor Saiful Islam Alif in Chattogram. Widespread rumours blamed protestors of Das’s arrest for the alleged hacking of Alif to death in the southeastern port city.