Bangladesh Crime Statistics 2026: Murder, Rape and Child Violence Toll

Bangladesh crime statistics 2026 show continued concern over murder, rape, child violence and missing children, although the available figures come from different periods and sources.

The government led by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman took office on 17 February 2026. Since then, official statements, Police Headquarters records and rights-group monitoring have documented hundreds of murder and rape cases, while several high-profile cases involving children have raised fresh concerns about public safety.

The figures should be read carefully because not all datasets cover the same period. The Home Minister’s parliamentary figures begin on February 17, while most Police Headquarters and rights-group datasets begin in January and therefore include weeks before the current government took office.

What the Home Minister Told Parliament

On 28 April, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed told Parliament that 464 murder cases and 666 rape cases had been filed nationwide since the government assumed office on 17 February.

He said police had arrested 604 suspects in murder cases and 530 in rape cases. Among them, 11 people in murder cases and 71 in rape cases had subsequently been released on bail.

The minister said serious crimes were being investigated and that evidence was being collected before charge sheets were filed.

These figures are particularly important because they are among the few nationally reported crime statistics that specifically cover the period beginning with the current government’s assumption of office.

Police Data Show More Murders in January–July

Police Headquarters data provide a broader picture of murder cases during the year.

According to reported Police Headquarters figures, 2,076 murder cases were registered across Bangladesh from January to July 2026, compared with 1,947 during the same period in 2025.

That means the number of registered murder cases was higher in the first seven months of 2026 than in the corresponding period a year earlier. However, these figures cover January and therefore cannot be treated as statistics for the current government’s entire tenure.

The distinction is important when comparing annual crime trends with crime recorded since February 17.

Rape Remains a Major Concern

Data presented by Ain o Salish Kendra (ASK) in September recorded 641 rape incidents involving women and children between January and July 2026.

The figure included:

• 400 cases involving women
• 241 cases involving children
• 37 women killed after rape
• 152 attempted-rape incidents

ASK also documented 606 incidents of violence against children during the same seven-month period. These included 241 child rape cases and 213 child murder cases.

Because ASK’s figures cover January to July, they should not be presented as a direct measurement of crime only after February 17.

Missing Children Add to the Concern

Another major issue is the number of children reported missing.

Police Headquarters data showed 15,717 children were reported missing between January and July 2026. Police later clarified that 13,679 children had been rescued or returned to their families, while 2,038 remained untraced.

The police clarification is significant because the original figure refers to missing-child reports or cases rather than meaning that all 15,717 children remained missing.

The numbers nevertheless highlight the scale of child-safety concerns during the year.

High-Profile Child Cases

Behind the statistics are individual cases that have attracted widespread public attention.

Ramisa Akter – Pallabi, Dhaka

Eight-year-old Ramisa Akter was raped and murdered in Pallabi in May.

The case moved quickly through the legal process. A Dhaka tribunal later sentenced Sohel Rana and his wife Swapna Akter to death on 7 June over the rape and murder.

The two subsequently appealed against the death sentences before the High Court.

The case became one of the most closely watched child-safety cases of 2026.

Three Children Killed in Sunamganj

In September, three children from the same family in Tahirpur, Sunamganj, died after their father allegedly poisoned them before attempting suicide.

The children were reported to be aged 10, 7 and 2. The incident was treated as a family tragedy and investigated by police.

Apratim Case – Cumilla

One of the latest cases occurred in Cumilla.

13-year-old Ishayat Shahriar Apratim, a Class VII student and the only son of a Comilla University teacher, went missing on 18 September after leaving home with his mother’s iPhone to take photographs with friends.

His body was recovered the following day from a wooded area in Kotbari. Police said he had suffered severe injuries to his head.

Police detained three youths – Tuhin, Anas and Fahim – for questioning. Investigators were examining whether the missing iPhone was connected to the killing. Police later recovered the phone from the home of one of the detained youths. However, at the time of reporting, the investigation was still ongoing and police had not established the suspects’ guilt in court.

Comilla University declared 20 September a day of mourning, suspending classes and examinations and calling for a fair investigation.

Why the Numbers Do Not Tell One Simple Story

The available crime data come from different institutions and cover different periods.

Police Headquarters figures are based on officially registered cases. The Home Minister’s parliamentary figure covers cases filed from 17 February onward. ASK’s figures are based on its human-rights monitoring and cover January–July.

Therefore, the numbers should not be added together to create one national crime total.

They also should not automatically be interpreted as evidence that any particular government caused an individual crime. Crime statistics can show what was reported or recorded, but establishing why crime occurred requires separate evidence.

Government and Rights-Group Responses

The government has said that serious crimes are being investigated and that offenders will face legal action. The Home Minister has also described a zero-tolerance approach toward serious crimes and other offences.

Rights organisations, meanwhile, have continued calling for faster investigations, stronger child-protection measures and effective access to justice.

The contrast between official crime records and rights-group monitoring also shows why Bangladesh’s 2026 law-and-order picture needs to be assessed using multiple sources rather than a single number.

What the Data Show So Far

The available evidence points to several clear concerns.

First, thousands of criminal cases have been registered nationwide during 2026. Second, murder and rape remain major concerns in official and rights-group records. Third, children appear repeatedly among victims of rape, murder and other forms of violence.

At the same time, the available datasets do not yet provide a complete, comparable 17 February–20 September national total for every category of crime.

For that reason, the most accurate way to understand Bangladesh crime statistics in 2026 is to examine each source according to its coverage period and methodology.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many murder cases were reported in Bangladesh in 2026?

Police Headquarters data reported 2,076 murder cases from January to July 2026. This figure includes the period before the current government took office.

How many rape cases were filed after the government took office?

The Home Minister told Parliament that 666 rape cases had been filed nationwide from 17 February to 28 April 2026.

How many rape cases did ASK record in 2026?

ASK documented 641 rape incidents involving women and children from January through July 2026.

How many children were victims of violence in the first seven months?

ASK documented 606 incidents of violence against children from January to July, including 241 child rape cases and 213 child murder cases.

How many children were reported missing in Bangladesh in 2026?

Police Headquarters recorded 15,717 missing-child reports from January to July. Of these, 13,679 children were rescued or returned to their families, while 2,038 remained untraced.

Do these numbers prove that crime increased because of the current government?

No. The figures show reported or recorded crimes during particular periods. They do not by themselves establish that a government caused individual crimes or changes in crime levels.

Are these Bangladesh crime statistics final for 2026?

No. September is still ongoing, and the available national datasets cover different periods. A complete year-end picture will require consolidated data covering the full year.