Bangladesh: From Mob Justice to Mob Justice – A Cycle of Injustice Under the Hasina Regime

 In Bangladesh, the landscape of justice has transformed over the years from an already fragile system into something much darker, where the police and judicial powers, especially under the Hasina regime, have fostered a culture of impunity and abuse. The phrase "what you sow, so shall you reap" never seemed more relevant, as the very system intended to uphold justice now perpetuates injustice.

The Rise of Police Brutality and Extra-Judicial Killings

Under the rule of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the police force, once seen as a guardian of the law, has now become a tool of oppression. With the tacit approval and blessing of the ruling government, the police have grown increasingly corrupt, executing extrajudicial killings and coercing false confessions from innocent people. Thousands have fallen victim to these practices, losing their lives or their freedom without any semblance of a fair trial.

Perpetrating False Cases and Making Innocent People Guilty

One of the most disturbing trends in recent years is the creation of false cases. Police, under the direction of political forces, often create fabricated charges against individuals to eliminate any threat to the regime. False witnesses are manipulated, and innocent people are made to suffer for crimes they didn’t commit.

This systemic abuse of power has rendered the very concept of justice a farce. Victims of police crimes, who dare to seek justice, are instead victimized further. Their voices are drowned out by the very institutions meant to protect them.

The Horror of Mobile Courts

In a particularly egregious example of judicial misconduct, mobile courts have been used to further stifle the defense of the accused. These courts, which are supposed to handle minor offenses, have been extended beyond their jurisdiction. A mobile court magistrate, under government pressure, sentenced a victim—someone who had filed a case for justice—to seven years in prison, despite the fact that mobile courts are only constitutionally permitted to issue sentences of up to two years. This grave miscarriage of justice occurred without any real opportunity for the accused to defend themselves.

In a situation where the victim was well aware of the police crimes against them, they had no chance to present their case in a fair trial. The mobile court, devoid of any safeguards or proper legal procedures, rendered a sentence that clearly violated the rights of the accused.

Violation of Constitutional Rights and Legal Codes

The actions of the police and magistrates under the Hasina regime have violated several articles of the Bangladesh Constitution, as well as basic international human rights principles.

• Article 31: "To enjoy the protection of law." This fundamental right is blatantly disregarded when innocent individuals are falsely accused and denied a fair trial.
• Article 35: "Protection of rights as to trial and punishment." The right to a fair trial and defense is explicitly violated when victims are denied the chance to prove their innocence, especially in the case of mobile courts.
• Article 33: "Right to be informed of reasons for arrest and the right to consult a legal practitioner." In many cases, individuals are not informed of the charges against them or allowed proper legal representation.
• The Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC): Under the CrPC, an accused person must have the opportunity to defend themselves. The use of mobile courts to sentence individuals without a fair defense is a clear violation of these procedural rules.

The actions of the police and judiciary also violate the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Bangladesh is a signatory. Article 9 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to liberty and security of person, and Article 14 ensures the right to a fair trial. Both of these rights have been trampled in the name of political convenience.

A Call for Accountability

The situation in Bangladesh demands urgent attention. The people who are supposed to uphold justice—police officers, magistrates, and government officials—have turned into the very instruments of oppression. The abuses of power under the Hasina regime must be addressed, and those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.

However, the fall of the Hasina government may see a shift in the narrative, as the very perpetrators of these crimes, the corrupt police and government officials, may soon face the consequences of their actions. The "mob justice" that once flourished under their reign is now a double-edged sword, as those who once wielded power may soon find themselves on the other side of the law.

From August 5th, 2025, onwards, the accountability that was long denied may now come into focus. The consequences of the government’s brutality and the police's misconduct will catch up to them. Just as the police turned against the innocent to maintain their power, they too will face the same fate—becoming victims of a mob justice they themselves helped foster.

The eventual breaking down of Dhanmondi 32, once a symbol of political control, could be seen as a metaphor for the dismantling of the corrupt structures that upheld Hasina's regime. The fate of the fallen police and government officials is now intertwined with the very same forces of mob justice that they once used against others. Their fate will serve as a reminder of the moral value of justice, and the inevitable collapse that comes when that value is ignored.

Conclusion: A Cycle of Mob Justice

In conclusion, the "mob justice" that has plagued the country, supported and fostered by those in power, needs to be eradicated. The fate of those responsible for these human rights abuses will eventually be sealed, as the cycle of mob justice comes full circle. The people of Bangladesh deserve a judicial system that operates with fairness, transparency, and respect for human dignity. If justice is not served for all, those who have long been in positions of power will ultimately meet the same fate they inflicted on others. What the country sows in terms of injustice will ultimately be reaped—unless the cycle is broken and true justice is served for all.