Bangladesh Garment Worker Burned Alive After False Accusation

A violent mob of around 140 people lynched and burned Dipu Chandra Das, a 28-year-old Hindu garment factory worker and the sole breadwinner for his family, on the evening of December 18th. The attack, which occurred in the Bhaluka area of Mymensingh, Bangladesh, was incited by a false rumor that Dipu had posted blasphemous content online. His body was found hanging from a tree and set ablaze in public view before police could retrieve it.

Investigators from the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), Bangladesh's elite counter-terrorism agency, have since stated that no evidence was found to support the blasphemy allegations against Dipu. They are exploring the possibility that misinformation was deliberately spread to provoke communal violence. As of the report, twelve individuals have been arrested in connection with the lynching and were remanded for police questioning.

Dipu's family, who have lodged a complaint, expressed deep trauma and fear, highlighting the mob's brutality and the lack of dignity afforded to them even after his death. His younger brother, Apu Chandra Das, described the horrific events and the pervasive sense of insecurity, questioning how they can believe justice will be served after witnessing such violence.