Bangladesh faced a significant increase in crime rates in 2025, with women and children being the primary victims of the violence. The rise in crimes, including murder, banditry, and mob violence, has been attributed to ongoing law and order challenges in the country. According to police statistics, a total of 181,737 cases, including incidents from the previous year, were reported in 2025.
The data highlighted a disturbing trend of violence against women and children, with 21,936 cases of such crimes registered last year. Theft cases stood at 12,740, followed by 3,785 cases of murder. Banditry incidents also featured prominently, with 1,935 cases recorded throughout the year. Additionally, there were 702 robbery cases, 988 cases under the Speedy Trial Act, 66 rioting cases, 1,101 kidnapping cases, 601 cases of assault on police personnel, and 81,738 other cases reported nationwide.
One tragic incident that drew widespread attention was the murder of four-and-a-half-year-old Roja Mani, whose body was found in a garbage dump in Tejkunipara near Bijoy Sarani overpass. The child’s brutal death, suspected to be a result of strangulation after severe abuse, sparked outrage across the country. In addition to this case, over 1,000 instances of child abuse were documented in the capital last year, with reports emerging from educational institutions and workplaces nationwide.
Reflecting on the crime statistics, Touhidul Haque, an associate professor and criminologist at Dhaka University, emphasized the impact of the unstable law and order situation on women and children. He highlighted that the rise in crime, including targeted killings and mob violence, necessitates a concerted effort to ensure the effective enforcement of the law. Since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took office, Bangladesh has grappled with escalating violence and deteriorating law and order conditions.
