The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned the threats and online abuse targeting Madhya Pradesh Judge Tabassum Khan and sought strict legal action against those responsible

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday strongly condemned the threats, intimidation and online hate campaign allegedly directed at Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan following her judgment convicting and sentencing members of a cow vigilante group in a lynching case.

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 steps to protect her and initiate strict legal action against those responsible for issuing threats and inciting hatred.

"The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemns the reported threats, abusive social media campaign and acts of intimidation directed against Ms. Tabassum Khan... following a judgment delivered by her in the discharge of her judicial duties," the Bar Association said.

The SCBA noted that reports indicated Judge Khan had faced threats and sustained online abuse after delivering the verdict, prompting the registration of an FIR and enhancement of her security.

Emphasising the importance of safeguarding judicial officers, the Association observed that the district judiciary forms the backbone of India's justice delivery system, with judges deciding thousands of sensitive civil and criminal matters every day.

"They deserve the assurance that the law will protect them whenever they faithfully discharge their constitutional responsibilities," the statement said.

Reaffirming its commitment to the independence of the judiciary, the SCBA stressed that judges must be able to discharge their duties without fear or external pressure.

"An independent judiciary is one of the cornerstones of our Constitution, and any attempt to undermine it must be firmly resisted," it stated.

Calling for accountability, the Bar Association urged the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the State Government to ensure a prompt, fair and effective investigation into the incident. It sought identification of all individuals responsible for threatening the judicial officer or spreading hatred against her and called for strict action in accordance with law.

The statement comes days after the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also extended its support to Judge Khan.

Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has already taken suo motu cognisance of the reported threats and sought a response from the State authorities regarding the measures taken to ensure the judge's security and investigate the matter. A Division Bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh, while hearing a pending suo motu matter concerning judicial officers in the State, directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Home) to personally explain the steps taken against those responsible for creating an atmosphere of fear around a judicial officer posted in Narmadapuram.

The Court was informed through submissions made by counsel as well as media reports that a judicial officer had been subjected to threats from certain sections of society after passing an order in a case. Taking immediate cognizance of the issue, the Bench described the development as “a serious matter” and proceeded to seek accountability from the State administration.
The controversy arose after Judge Khan convicted and sentenced members of a cow vigilante group in a lynching case, following which she allegedly became the target of threats and coordinated abuse on social media.
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