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Mob Justice on the Rise, Public Trust Plummets
The tendency to take the law into one’s own hands is rising at an alarming rate across the country. Increasingly, people accused of crimes—often without any verification—are being beaten or even killed by mobs driven by anger, fear, or revenge.
A new report by the Human Rights Culture Foundation reveals a sharp escalation in mob violence over the past five years (2021–2025). The number of such incidents has grown nearly tenfold, while deaths and injuries have surged by 5.67 and 33 times, respectively.
In the first 10 months of 2025 alone, 356 incidents of mob attacks have been reported, leaving 137 dead and 390 seriously injured. The wave of violence has created widespread fear among the public.
The Foundation’s data show a consistent year-on-year rise:
2021: 44 incidents, 29 deaths, 14 injuries
2022: 113 incidents, 61 deaths, 76 injuries
2023: 145 incidents, 86 deaths, 58 injuries
2024: 169 incidents, 146 deaths, 126 injuries
2025 (Jan–Oct): 356 incidents, 137 deaths, 390 injuries
In 2024, an average of 14 mob beatings occurred each month. This year, that number has more than doubled to 35.6 per month. Average monthly deaths have also risen—from 12.17 in 2024 to 13.7 in 2025. If the trend continues, this year could set a record for mob violence.
The statistics show that the rate of mob attacks has increased nearly 10 times since 2021, while deaths have risen almost sixfold and injuries more than 33 times. August and September were the deadliest months in both 2024 and 2025, claiming 44 and 47 lives, respectively.
Dr. Md Omar Faruk, Professor of Criminology and Police Science at Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, said the surge in mob violence signals a deep crisis in governance and justice.
“When people lose faith in politics, the government, and the law, such crimes increase,” he said. “A culture of impunity breeds frustration, which turns into collective violence.”
Dr. Faruk warned that mob justice reflects social and political instability and a lack of trust in the legal system.
“Taking the law into one’s own hands is a criminal offense. If someone dies, it becomes murder, punishable by death. But most perpetrators go unpunished because investigations are weak, witnesses are afraid, and justice is delayed,” he explained.
To curb the violence, he urged the government to ensure swift justice through mobile courts that can act immediately after incidents occur. Such measures, he said, would help secure evidence, punish offenders, and rebuild public trust in the justice system.