The Voice News: At least 172 people have been killed in incidents of mob violence across Bangladesh in the past ten months, according to data released by the human rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK). The alarming figure reflects a disturbing trend of citizens taking the law into their own hands—often incited by rumors, loudspeaker announcements, or unverified allegations.Latest Incident: Dipnagar BeatingsThe most recent case occurred on May 31 in the Dipnagar area of Darus Salam, Dhaka, where two young men, Tanvir and Fahim, were beaten to death by locals after accusations of drug dealing were broadcast publicly. On June 1, police recovered the body of a teenage boy, Russel, from the same area.According to Assistant Commissioner Imdad Hossain of the Darus Salam Zone, the victims were allegedly threatening local residents. In retaliation, an enraged mob assaulted them fatally. A murder case has been filed at Darus Salam Police Station against unidentified individuals.Nationwide StatisticsASK’s records show that from August 2024 to May 2025, 172 individuals were killed in similar mob-led incidents across all eight administrative divisions. Notably, many victims had no prior criminal charges.Division-wise Breakdown:Dhaka: 80 deathsChattogram: 28 deathsBarishal & Rajshahi: 16 eachKhulna: 14 deathsRangpur: 7 deathsMymensingh: 6 deathsSylhet: 5 deathsThe highest number of killings occurred in September 2024, when 28 people lost their lives in mob attacks.Legal PerspectiveSupreme Court lawyer Ishrat Hasan described the incidents as premeditated murders. “These are deliberate and unlawful killings. Every participant is equally culpable under the law,” she said. She cited Section 302 of the Penal Code, which stipulates death or life imprisonment for intentional homicide.Law Enforcement ResponseDespite repeated appeals from authorities urging the public not to take justice into their own hands, mob violence remains a persistent challenge. However, recent interventions by police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and the Bangladesh Army have successfully prevented several attacks.For instance, on May 16 in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, a group attempted to incite mob violence against a publisher. However, Officer-in-Charge Kayshaynu Marma effectively neutralized the situation, preventing further escalation.To combat this trend, the Police Headquarters has issued a nationwide warning, instructing the public to report criminal activity through the national emergency hotline 999 or at the nearest police station. AIG Enamul Haque Sagar confirmed that police forces have been instructed to respond decisively to any incidents of mob formation or vigilante action.Expert Opinions and SolutionsDr. Kazi Latifur Reza, Associate Professor of Law and Human Rights at Ranada Prasad Saha University, condemned the killings as an assault on the rule of law.“In any civilized society, taking justice outside the legal system is never acceptable. Such acts undermine our moral values and erode trust in public institutions,” he said.To prevent future incidents, Dr. Reza recommended:Public awareness campaigns on legal proceduresRapid fact-checking and information dissemination to prevent rumorsStringent enforcement of existing lawsExemplary punishment for those involved in mob violence—ConclusionThe rising wave of mob justice reflects a dangerous collapse of confidence in Bangladesh’s legal system. Urgent reforms are needed in law enforcement, public education, and justice delivery mechanisms to uphold the rule of law and protect human rights across the nation.
