Mob Violence Escalates in Bangladesh: 32 Killed in May, 53 Unidentified Bodies Found, Says Report

Dhaka: A sharp rise in mob violence has been reported across Bangladesh, with at least 32 deaths recorded in May alone, along with the recovery of 53 unidentified bodies from different parts of the country, according to a report by the Dhaka-based rights group Manabadhikar Shongskriti Foundation (MSF).

The report, released on Sunday, has raised serious concerns over deteriorating law and order, public safety, and the overall human rights situation in the country.

Rising mob-related deaths

MSF data shows that 71 people were critically injured in 69 separate mob-related incidents during May, compared to lower figures in April when 21 deaths and 49 injuries were recorded. The organisation noted a steady month-on-month rise in fatalities linked to mob attacks.

According to the report, mob violence deaths have followed an alarming trend this year, with 19 deaths in March, 18 in February, 21 in January 2026, and 10 in December 2025.

Out of the 32 deaths reported in May:

• 14 were linked to allegations of theft
• 4 followed personal altercations
• 2 were related to robbery accusations
• 2 involved allegations of rape or sexual assault
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The report also stated that 35 injured victims were later handed over to police, while in several incidents mobs also attacked law enforcement personnel.

Unidentified bodies raise concern

Authorities recovered 53 unidentified bodies during the month from rivers, roadsides, railway tracks, and farmland areas. MSF warned that the repeated discovery of such bodies may point to gaps in investigations and possible unresolved or extrajudicial cases.

Deaths in custody also increased slightly, rising from 6 to 7 during the same period.

Worsening violence against women and children

The report highlighted a disturbing rise in gender-based violence, recording 326 incidents in May—an increase from April. Among them:

• Rape cases surged by 40%, reaching 70
• Gang rape cases rose to 16
• Rape followed by murder increased to 6 from 2 in April
• Pressure on press freedom
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MSF also documented 34 cases of violence against journalists in May, while legal harassment of media personnel rose from 8 to 13 cases. The group said this reflects ongoing pressure on freedom of expression in the country.

The report further mentioned an incident in Brahmanbaria, where the screening of the film Banalata Express was disrupted, calling it another example of growing mob influence and weakening rule of law.

Overall, the findings point to an increasingly volatile security environment and mounting concerns over law enforcement effectiveness in Bangladesh.