Tendency to take the law into one’s own hands is increasing at an alarming rate across the country. People are being beaten or even killed by mobs—sometimes out of revenge, sometimes after being accused of crimes without verification.
Over the past five years (2021–2025), incidents of mob beatings and lynchings have increased nearly tenfold. The number of deaths has risen by an average of 5.67 times per month, while injuries have surged more than 33 times. In just the first 10 months of the current year, 356 incidents of mob violence have occurred, leaving 137 people dead and 390 seriously injured. Such a situation is spreading fear among the public.
These findings come from a five-year report published by the Human Rights Culture Foundation. Analysis of the report shows that in 2021, there were 44 incidents of mob beatings, resulting in 29 deaths and 14 injuries. In 2022, 113 incidents led to 61 deaths and 76 injuries. The following year, 2023, recorded 145 incidents, causing 86 deaths and 58 injuries. In 2024, there were 169 incidents, killing 146 people and injuring 126. During the first 10 months of 2025 alone, 356 mob attacks have been reported. The statistics indicate that such incidents have been increasing every year, with 2025 showing a particularly alarming rise.
In 2024, an average of 14 mob beatings occurred each month, while in 2025 that number has jumped to 35.6 per month. Last year, an average of 12.17 people died from mob attacks each month; this year, the figure has risen to 13.7. If this trend continues through November and December, 2025 may set a new record for mob violence. Back in 2021, there was an average of 3.66 mob beatings per month, which means that by 2025 (first 10 months), the rate has increased by about 9.7 times. Over the same period, average monthly deaths rose 5.67 times, and injuries more than 33 times.
According to the data, August and September were the deadliest months in both 2024 and 2025. Last year, 44 people were killed during these two months; this year, the death toll reached 47 in the same period.
Dr Md Omar Faruk, Professor of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University told to Bangladesh Pratidin that the growing trend of mob violence reflects not only the failure of the country’s crime control system but also poses a major threat to social stability.
“When people lose faith in politics, the government, and the law, such crimes increase. A culture of impunity breeds public frustration, which eventually turns into collective violence,” he said.
“Recently, mob violence has escalated sharply—it’s a sign of social and political instability. The root cause is the lack of trust in the legal system. Taking the law into one’s own hands is a punishable offense. If someone dies as a result, it constitutes murder, which is punishable by death. Yet such incidents keep happening because perpetrators believe they will face no consequences. In most cases of mob violence, proper investigations and trials never take place—there’s negligence, a lack of witnesses, and offenders take advantage of this,” he explained.
To control the situation, Dr Faruk emphasised the need for swift justice. He suggested that mobile courts should immediately intervene when mob incidents occur, as this would make it easier to collect evidence and ensure punishment. Above all, he stressed the importance of rebuilding public trust in the justice system.
