A video is being widely shared on social media in which some people are seen torturing a man by tying him to a tree with a fire burning nearby.
The video is shared with a caption claiming that a mob of Muslim men burned a Hindu man alive in West Bengal.
A social media user shared the video (warning: visuals of violence) with a caption, “Not Taliban, Not Syria, Not Pakistan or Bangladesh… this is own share of Bengal… ruled by Sharia Law …A mob of Lungi Topi Bakra Dadhi Gang is burning a man alive, the remaining of the same jamaat are enjoying the show and filming it … Law and Order is on their “L” in Bengal. (sic)”
SouthCheck found that the viral claim is false. The viral video is from Bangladesh and has no communal angle involved in it.
On a Google reverse image search, we found that the same video was shared by a Facebook user on March 10, 2025. The video was shared with a caption which, when translated in English, reads, “On the charges of mobile theft, they were tied to a tree, tortured and then set on fire. The local residents are saying ‘Shikara’. Law and order is going well in the country!”
Taking a hint, we searched with relevant keywords and found that the screenshot of the video was published on a website named Rising BD. The report stated that on March 8, 2025, in Jamunabad village, Bahubal Upazila, Habiganj district, two mobile phones were reported stolen from Abdul Kaiyum’s residence. The following day, locals suspected Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali from Tarapasha village, and assaulted him. Under duress, Shahidul named Zahed Mia, son of Yusuf Ali from Bondakkhin village. Zahed was subsequently apprehended from Katiadi Bazaar, tied to a tree, and tortured; at one point, his body was set on fire. Family members rescued him by agreeing to compensate for the stolen phones and admitted him to Habiganj's 250-bed District Sadar Hospital. Zahed denied involvement in the theft, attributing the torture to prior enmity.
We found another report published by Habibganj Samachar on March 11, 2025. According to the report, in Jamunabad village, Bahubal Upazila, Habiganj district, Bangladesh, two individuals were suspected of stealing mobile phones. The community apprehended them, subjected them to physical punishment, and set one individual’s body on fire. The victims were later hospitalized, and the incident has sparked a significant local uproar. The two individuals apprehended and subjected to violence over alleged mobile phone theft were identified as Shahidul, son of Kimmat Ali from Tarapasha village, and Zahed Miah, son of Yusuf Ali from Bondakkhin village.
Therefore, we conclude that the viral claim is from Bangladesh and has no communal angle involved in it.
