Recently, the alarming issue of "mob justice" has surfaced in Bangladesh. This phenomenon occurs when a group of individuals takes it upon themselves to administer what they perceive as punishment to someone accused of a crime. It is often driven by frustration over the inadequacies of the legal and law enforcement systems. Unfortunately, mob justice can result in tragic consequences, including wrongful deaths, public unrest, and a breakdown of the rule of law. Moreover, it raises critical concerns about human rights, security, and social justice.
Legally, mob justice creates a climate of lawlessness and is considered a serious violation of human rights, particularly the rights to life, liberty, and security, which are protected under the Constitution of Bangladesh and various international human rights treaties.
Article 31 of the Constitution guarantees the right to legal protection, asserting that every citizen is entitled to be treated according to the law. Furthermore, Article 35 provides for the right to a fair trial, including protections against ex post facto laws, double jeopardy, and self-incrimination. However, the prevalence of mob justice in Bangladesh starkly contradicts these constitutional principles.
Mob justice typically arises in emotionally charged situations, where people-often lacking accurate information and acting in a state of heightened tension-target individuals they believe to be criminals. The rapid spread of rumors and misinformation is a primary driver of mob justice in the country. Additionally, factors such as frustration with crime, distrust in the legal system, and socioeconomic and cultural influences contribute to this alarming trend.
On September 18, 2024, two notable murders exemplified the dangers of mob justice: Tofazzal Hossain, 32, was beaten to death at Dhaka University after being suspected of theft, while ShamimMolla, a former BCL leader, was attacked near the Prantik Gate of Jahangirnagar University. Just weeks earlier, on September 7, 2024, Abdullah Al Masud, another BCL leader with a prosthetic leg, was brutally killed while buying medicine for his newborn daughter. His attackers, knowing he was physically vulnerable, showed no mercy.
“From a legal standpoint, mob justice is unequivocally illegal. It violates fundamental human rights, including the right to life and the right to a fair trial. Ethically, mob justice represents a failure of moral responsibility, as it disregards the principles of fairness and the presumption of innocence. Due process is a cornerstone of a democratic society, and mob justice undermines this by denying individuals their basic legal protections”
According to Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK), 32 people have already died due to mob justice in the first half of this year. In 2023, approximately 51 people lost their lives in mob lynching incidents, with 36 killed in 2022 and 28 in 2021. The Penal Code of Bangladesh (1860) addresses crimes such as murder, assault, and unlawful assembly, which are often the consequences of mob incidents. Additionally, mob actions frequently violate the Cyber Security Act of 2023.
From a legal standpoint, mob justice is unequivocally illegal. It violates fundamental human rights, including the right to life and the right to a fair trial. Ethically, mob justice represents a failure of moral responsibility, as it disregards the principles of fairness and the presumption of innocence. Due process is a cornerstone of a democratic society, and mob justice undermines this by denying individuals their basic legal protections.
The consequences of mob justice are severe and far-reaching. One immediate effect is the loss of innocent lives. In 2019, rumors circulating on social media that children were being kidnapped and sacrificed in connection with the construction of the Padma Bridge led to widespread panic. Over a two-week period, angry mobs attacked at least 30 people, resulting in the deaths of at least 8 individuals and injuries to 22 others. The chaos creates opportunities for tragic cases of mistaken identity and baseless accusations.
When people take justice into their own hands, it weakens public trust in law enforcement and the judicial system, fostering a culture of fear and impunity. Victims of mob violence often suffer not only physical harm but also psychological trauma, while witnesses may be reluctant to intervene or report crimes for fear of retaliation. In the long run, unchecked violence and lawlessness can destabilize communities, deepen divisions, and perpetuate a cycle of violence, associating justice with mob rule rather than fairness and accountability.
The recent incidents of mob violence in Bangladesh raise significant concerns about public safety and justice. These events highlight the dangers of vigilante justice and the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining order. The dream of justice is gradually fading, replaced by bloodshed in the name of vengeance. It is imperative for the government to respond decisively and pursue accountability for these actions as a critical step toward restoring trust in the justice system.
The writer is a student, Department of Law , World University of Bangladesh 
