Judge Faces Intimidation After Conviction of Vigilantes
An Indian judge, Tabassum Khan, has become the target of significant online harassment and death threats after sentencing 14 men to life imprisonment. These individuals were found guilty of lynching Nazir Ahmad, a 50-year-old man, in Madhya Pradesh in 2022. Ahmad, who was transporting cattle at night, was attacked by a group of self-proclaimed 'gau rakshaks' or cow protectors.
The incident, which led to Ahmad's death, has highlighted ongoing tensions around cow protection in India. Hindus consider cows sacred, and many states have laws prohibiting their slaughter. During the attack, Ahmad's companions survived and provided crucial testimonies that contributed to the conviction of the accused.
Religious Hate and Online Abuse
Following the verdict, Khan, who is Muslim, has faced a torrent of religiously charged abuse. Videos surfaced online with individuals attacking her for her faith rather than her legal reasoning. This has raised concerns about religious intolerance in the judicial process.
Prominent judicial bodies have expressed their support for Khan, condemning the threats and emphasizing the importance of a judiciary free from intimidation. In response to the threats, police protection has been provided to her.
Protests and Public Reactions
Protests erupted soon after the sentencing, with family members of the convicted men alleging that they were punished for their actions in protecting cows. This sparked further demonstrations by various cow protection groups and right-wing organizations.
In one notable protest, the Gau Raksha Parishad organized a demonstration in Punjab where protesters burned an effigy of Khan. Similarly, the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal staged protests demanding the release of the convicted individuals.
Judicial and Public Responses
Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju criticized the efforts to undermine Khan's authority based on her religious identity, highlighting the dangerous precedent it sets for justice. He emphasized that judgments should be evaluated on legal grounds rather than the judge's religion.
Judicial organizations such as the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association and the Supreme Court Bar Association have denounced the threats and called for action against those responsible.
Ongoing Investigations and Safety Measures
The local police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code. Two individuals have been arrested, and authorities are actively monitoring social media to identify others involved in spreading inflammatory content.
Supreme Court advocate Sanjay Hegde has urged stronger measures to ensure Khan's safety, drawing parallels to a previous case involving threats against another judge. He argued that protection should not be contingent on the judge's rank or religion.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has requested reports on the steps taken to protect Khan and ordered the continuation of her police protection.
Source: Original Article
