Mob lynching death increased by 400% under Chief Advisor Dr Mohammad Yunus, RRAG report

The Rights & Risks Analysis Group (RAAG) in its report, “Bangladesh: One Year After July Revolution, Ochlocracy Rules”, released on Saturday (July 19)  stated that mob lynching increased by 400% under Chief Advisor Dr Mohammad Yunus in comparison to former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. On 19 July 2024, then Government of Bangladesh led by former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina imposed curfew and deployed the Bangladesh Army to quell anti-quota protestors and her government finally fell on 4 August 2024.

“At least 466 persons were affected by mob violence from August 2024 to June 2025 including killing of 185 persons and injuries to 281 persons under Dr Yunus. In comparison, about 51 persons were lynched to death under then Prime Minister Hasina during 2023 i.e. an increase of about 400% mob lynching deaths under Dr Yunus’s one year rule.”- stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of the RRAG.

The victims of mob lynching include Roksana Begum Ruby (53), her son Russel Mia (35) and daughter Jonaki Akhter (25) who were lynched to death on 3 July 2025 in Muradnagar upazila of Comilla while former Chief Election Commissioner KM Nurul Huda was assaulted, garlanded with shoes and subjected to public humiliation by a mob in Uttara, Dhaka on 22 June 2025.

“The law and order situation has not improved despite the government of Bangladesh giving the special executive magistracy powers to the commissioned officers holding the rank of captain or above in the Bangladesh Armed Forces (including those on deputation to the Bangladesh Coast Guard and Border Guard Bangladesh) to take necessary legal actions for offences under sections 64, 65, 83, 84, 86, 95(2), 100, 105, 107, 109, 110, 126, 127, 128, 130, 133, and 142 of the Code of Criminal Procedure since 17 September 2024”. - Further stated Mr Chakma.

Dr Mohammad Yunus has adopted mob rule as the means to remain in power. The Interim Government has emboldened the Anti-Discrimination Student Movement by barring the law enforcement personnel from arresting or filing cases against anyone involved in the July-August uprising in which at least 44 policemen were killed. The students through mob protests removed judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court, silenced the media and even burnt down the headquarters of the Jatiya Party on the night of 31 October 2024 at Kakrail area in the heart of the capital Dhaka.  Increasingly, the BNP cadres too joined in the mob lynching of the Awami League cadres. The BNP leaders gave lip service but failed to reign in on the attacks by their cadres.

“The situation will only exacerbate if the Interim government continues to provide impunity and uses the mob as the means to remain in power.” – further warned Mr Chakma.