A leading international human rights organisation has strongly condemned a mob attack on the District and Sessions Judge Court in Chapainawabganj, Bangladesh, in which workers allegedly affiliated with the ruling Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) vandalised a courtroom and the private chamber of a sitting judge. The incident, which reportedly took place on Sunday, 10 August 2025, has drawn sharp international censure and renewed fears over the erosion of judicial independence in the country.

What Happened at the Chapainawabganj Court

According to reports citing court sources, BNP workers grew agitated after Joint District Judge Md Uzzal Mahmud granted bail to four accused in a case but deferred a decision on a fifth accused, Tufan Ali — a leader of the BNP's youth wing Jubo Dal.

Ali had been arrested on the night of 8 August in connection with a case involving a cocktail explosion at the wall of the district election office, allegedly ahead of the 2024 parliamentary elections. Several BNP workers also claimed the judge had repeatedly deferred bail decisions on Ali's application and had made critical remarks about the government's handling of the ongoing electricity crisis.

Rights Body Condemns 'Direct Attack on Judicial Independence'

Justice Makers Bangladesh in France (JMBF), a human rights organisation based in Paris, issued a strong condemnation of the incident, describing the mob's actions as a 'direct attack on judicial independence, the rule of law, and the constitutional framework of a democratic state.'

JMBF Founder President and human rights lawyer Shahanur Islam said: 'Courts are not the offices of any political party, and judges are not accountable to any political group. If anyone is aggrieved by a judge's remarks or decision, the law provides appropriate avenues for seeking redress. Forming a mob in front of a court, surrounding a judge's chamber, or attempting to exert pressure through vandalism constitutes a grave attack on the independence of the judiciary.'

A Pattern of Pressure on Courts, Critics Say

Shahanur Islam further alleged that the practice of exerting pressure on the judiciary through mob violence — which, he claimed, began during the former Muhammad Yunus-led interim government — has continued under the current BNP administration since the ouster of the Awami League government.

'If mob gatherings and vandalism at courts are allowed to go unpunished because of political affiliation today, judges may be afraid to make independent decisions tomorrow. Ultimately, ordinary people seeking justice will pay the price,' he added, calling for an impartial investigation to identify and prosecute all individuals involved, regardless of political affiliation.

Call for United Stand to Protect Rule of Law

The JMBF has urged all political parties, civil society organisations, lawyers' associations, and state institutions across Bangladesh to take a clear and united stand in defence of the dignity of courts, the independence of judges, and the rule of law. This incident comes amid what observers describe as a broader pattern of rising mob violence across the country since the political transition of 2024.

Notably, this is not an isolated episode — attacks on judicial premises and pressure campaigns against sitting judges have been reported in multiple districts, raising questions about institutional safeguards for the judiciary under the current political dispensation. How the government responds to calls for accountability will be closely watched by rights groups and the international community alike.