At least 197 people were killed in incidents of mob violence or lynching across the country between January and December this year. The number was 128 in the previous year.
The information was revealed in the 2025 human rights situation report published on Wednesday by human rights organisation Ain O Salish Kendra (ASK).
ASK said the report was prepared based on human rights–related news published in national media, the organisation’s own monitoring and on-the-ground data collection.
According to the organisation, at least 293 people have been killed in mob violence during the period of the interim government.
The report said women and men, religious minorities, marginalised communities and people from various professions were killed in mob violence incidents. It also mentioned incidents of harassment, assault and garlanding with shoes involving freedom fighters, members of the Baul community and dissenters.
District-based data show that Dhaka recorded the highest number of mob violence deaths in 2025, with 27 people killed. Gazipur saw 17 deaths, Narayanganj 11, Chattogram 9 and Cumilla 8. Six people each were killed in Mymensingh, Barishal, Noakhali, Gaibandha and Shariatpur. Five people each were killed in Lakshmipur, Sirajganj and Tangail, while four each were killed in Narsingdi and Jashore.
A month-wise analysis shows that lynching incidents were relatively higher in August and September. During this period, leaders and activists of various political parties were also killed. However, most of the victims were ordinary citizens.
According to ASK data, at least seven of those killed were members of the Hindu community, three were women and one was a visually impaired person.
The report noted that most mob violence incidents occurred due to political differences, religious extremism, rumours and attempts to assert local dominance.
Acts of vandalism at various establishments and cultural centres, as well as harassment of women and dissenters, were also carried out using the name of “Tawhidi Janata”.
Incident-based data said that on 9 August, two men named Rupalal Das, 40, and Pradip Das, 35, were beaten to death in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur on suspicion of van theft. According to ASK, police were present at the scene but did not take any effective action.
In addition, in March this year, a 19-year-old worker named Hridoy was beaten to death in Konabari of Gazipur on allegations of theft.
On 22 August, a 15-year-old boy named Mahin was killed and two other teenagers were seriously injured in a mob lynching in Fatikchhari of Chattogram on suspicion of theft.
On 22 June, a salon worker and his son were assaulted in Lalmonirhat following allegations of religious insult.
ASK said these incidents occurred based on suspicion and rumours without any evidence, investigation or legal process. In many cases, inaction by law enforcement agencies and indifference in bringing perpetrators to justice were also observed.
The report further said that alongside mob violence, extrajudicial killings, deaths in custody, persecution of minorities, killings in political violence and violations of media freedom have also emerged as alarming aspects of the human rights situation this year.
