noun
vigilantism; lynching; extrajudicial punishment
Refers to punishment carried out by private individuals without legal authority, often in a group context. Can imply mob justice or taking the law into one's own hands.
彼らは容疑者に私刑を加えた。
They subjected the suspect to vigilante punishment.
私刑は法治国家では許されない。
Vigilantism is not tolerated in a country governed by the rule of law.
Compound of 私 (private, personal) and 刑 (punishment, penalty). The term directly conveys the idea of private punishment.