MP High Court Directs Security for Judge After Threats Over Lynching Conviction
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of news reports indicating that a sessions judge in the state faced threats following her conviction of seven men in a 2022 lynching case. The court deemed the matter serious, stating that such intimidation undermines judicial independence and the fearless functioning of judicial officers.
Justices Vivek Agarwal and Avanindra Kumar Singh issued directives to the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to file a response detailing steps taken to identify and prosecute the perpetrators. The court also ordered police protection for the judge, Tabassum Khan.
In its order, the bench emphasised: “Our judicial officer cannot be threatened merely because he or she chooses to pass a particular order and that is not to the liking of a certain section of the society.” The court noted that threats against judges directly hamper the fearless working of the judiciary, a cornerstone of democratic governance.
The case dates back to 2022, when a mob lynched a man in Madhya Pradesh. Judge Khan convicted seven individuals in connection with the incident. The threats reportedly surfaced soon after the verdict.
Legal experts have welcomed the High Court’s intervention, noting that it reinforces the principle that judges must be free to deliver justice without fear of reprisal. The matter is listed for further hearing to assess compliance with the security directives.
