A self-proclaimed spiritual leader has been beaten to death by a mob in Bangladesh, in a violent incident that officials say reflects growing religious tensions in the country.
The victim, identified as Shamim Reza Jahangir, believed to be in his 60s, died after hundreds of people stormed his home in the Kushtia district on April 11 and attacked him with sticks, according to local authorities.
Chief administrative official Touhid Hasan said the crowd, estimated at more than 200 people, gathered after an old video of Jahangir resurfaced online a day earlier, sparking anger over comments he allegedly made about the Quran.
Officials said police had been alerted to potential unrest and attempted to respond, but were unable to prevent the large-scale attack on the residence.
Jahangir was later taken to hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival due to his injuries.
Police sources said he had previously been detained in 2021 over remarks that had already angered local villagers, though investigations are ongoing into the latest incident.
Bangladesh, a Muslim-majority nation of around 170 million people, has seen increasing reports of mob violence and religious intolerance in recent years, particularly following the 2024 political upheaval that removed former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from power.
Authorities noted that such attacks have become a recurring concern, with rights groups reporting more than 150 deaths linked to mob violence between August 2024 and September 2025.
Police have confirmed that a formal investigation into the killing is underway as the country continues to grapple with rising social and political tensions.
