La Haute Cour du Madhya Pradesh prend connaissance des menaces de mort contre un juge musulman après le verdict de lynchage

The Madhya Pradesh High Court recently intervened to protect Judge Tabassum Khan, an Additional District and Sessions Judge in Narmadapuram district, following a series of death threats and communal abuse directed at her after she delivered a controversial verdict in a lynching case. The incident unfolded in late June 2026, when Judge Khan sentenced seven individuals to life imprisonment for the brutal assault and subsequent death of truck driver Sheikh Lala Nazir Ahmed in August 2022. The verdict sparked outrage among local communities, particularly those associated with cow vigilantism, leading to online threats, social media campaigns, and even physical acts of protest, including the burning of effigies of the judge.

The High Court's intervention came after reports surfaced about the threats against Judge Khan, prompting a suo motu inquiry by a Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh. On July 1, the court expressed concern over the "serious matter" of threats against judicial independence and ordered immediate protective measures for the judge. The court emphasized that such actions directly hinder the fearless operation of judicial officers and called upon state authorities to take legal action against those responsible. The court also mandated that the Director General of Police (DGP) and relevant government officials submit detailed responses regarding the steps taken to secure the judge and prosecute the perpetrators.

Following the court's directive, the Narmadapuram police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on June 23, 2026, against unidentified individuals under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to inciting enmity and hurting religious sentiments. The police have since intensified efforts to identify the culprits, utilizing multiple investigative units. However, the identities of those behind the threats remain unknown, as per statements from the Additional Superintendent of Police, Abhishek Ranjan, who confirmed that the investigation is ongoing.

The case itself dates back to August 2, 2022, when a mob intercepted a truck carrying cattle from Nandarwada village to Maharashtra. Armed with sticks and wooden rods, the group attacked the vehicle, resulting in the death of truck driver Sheikh Lala Nazir Ahmed. Two other passengers survived but became hostile during the trial. Despite this hostility, Judge Khan relied heavily on medical and forensic evidence, including blood-stained weapons and clothing, to convict the seven defendants. Her ruling was based on the prosecution proving the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Reactions to the judge's decision varied widely. While legal bodies such as the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association strongly condemned the threats and social media campaigns against Judge Khan, political figures like Congress leader Vivek Tankha criticized the silence of the higher judiciary and government in addressing the issue. Tankha argued that the lack of response from authorities was more alarming than the hate campaign itself.

Moving forward, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of Judge Khan and bringing those responsible for the threats to justice. The High Court's directive underscores the importance of safeguarding judicial independence, a principle that is central to the functioning of democratic institutions. As the investigation continues, the broader implications of the case—particularly its impact on public perception of the judiciary and the role of social media in influencing legal outcomes—are likely to draw further attention and debate.