The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has strongly condemned the reported threats, abusive social media campaign and acts of intimidation directed against Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan of Madhya Pradesh following a judgment delivered by her in the discharge of her judicial functions.
In a statement issued on July 3, the SCBA expressed solidarity with the judicial officer and urged the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the State Government to take immediate and effective steps to protect her and bring those responsible for issuing threats and inciting hatred against her to justice.
According to media reports, Judge Khan was subjected to threats and online abuse after convicting and sentencing members of a cow vigilante group in a lynching case. Following the incident, an FIR was registered and her security was enhanced.
Expressing serious concern over the developments, the SCBA observed that the district judiciary forms the backbone of India’s justice delivery system, with judicial officers adjudicating thousands of sensitive civil and criminal cases on a daily basis. It emphasised that judges must have the assurance that the rule of law will protect them whenever they discharge their constitutional and statutory duties independently, impartially and without fear or favour.
Reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding judicial independence, the Association stated that an independent judiciary is one of the cornerstones of the Constitution and that any attempt to intimidate, influence or undermine a judicial officer for performing judicial duties strikes at the very foundation of the justice delivery system and must be firmly resisted.
The SCBA called upon the State authorities to ensure a prompt, fair and effective investigation, identify every individual responsible for issuing threats, circulating abusive content or inciting hatred against the judicial officer, and initiate appropriate criminal and legal proceedings against them in accordance with law.
The Bar body also reiterated its unwavering support for Judge Khan and affirmed its commitment to preserving the independence, dignity and impartiality of the judiciary.
Earlier, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) had also issued a statement expressing solidarity with Judge Khan. The Madhya Pradesh High Court has already taken suo motu cognisance of the threats and directed the State authorities to explain the steps taken to ensure the judicial officer’s security and investigate those responsible for the alleged threats and online intimidation.
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