A disturbing trend has been emerging in Bangladesh: people are increasingly taking the law into their own hands. In different parts of the country, individuals accused of theft, robbery, child abduction or other crimes have been attacked by angry crowds. In some cases, these attacks have resulted in serious injuries and even death.

This cannot be accepted as justice.

When a person is accused of a crime, there must be a proper investigation. Evidence must be examined, witnesses must be heard and the accused must have the opportunity to defend themselves. Only a court can determine whether someone is guilty and what punishment they should receive. Mob violence removes all of these safeguards.

One of the greatest dangers of mob justice is that an innocent person can easily become a victim. A rumour, a misunderstanding or a misleading post on social media can turn an ordinary person into a target within minutes. Once a crowd becomes violent, there may be little opportunity to establish the truth.

This is particularly worrying in an age when information spreads rapidly through Facebook, TikTok and other online platforms. A photograph or short video can be shared thousands of times without any reliable information about what actually happened. By the time the truth becomes known, an innocent person may already have suffered irreversible harm.

The responsibility, however, does not rest only with ordinary citizens. The state has a fundamental duty to protect people from violence and ensure that allegations of crime are dealt with through the law. When police receive information that a crowd has surrounded or attacked someone, they must act quickly to protect the person and bring the situation under control.

At the same time, those involved in mob attacks must face legal consequences. Allowing such incidents to pass without proper investigation can create the impression that violence is an acceptable way of dealing with suspected criminals.

Citizens also have a responsibility. Anger over crime is understandable, but anger cannot replace evidence and due process. If someone is suspected of committing a crime, the right response is to inform the police and allow the authorities to investigate. Sharing unverified information or encouraging others to attack someone can have devastating consequences.

A society cannot maintain law and order if punishment is decided on the street. Today, the victim may be a stranger. Tomorrow, it could be someone from our own family.

The message must therefore be clear: criminals should be brought to justice, but justice must be delivered through the law.

The courtroom—not the street—must remain the place where guilt is decided and punishment is determined.