Judge Tabassum Khan, who is posted in the Narmadapuram District, received protection after the Madhya Pradesh High Court ordered it. Consequently, the court passed this order because the judge allegedly received continuous threats following her June 12 verdict in a 2022 mob lynching case. This legal matter relates to the mob lynching of a man on August 3, 2022, after the mob suspected him of cow smuggling. On June 12, Judge Tabassum Khan convicted 14 accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Furthermore, people allegedly began threatening the judge after the judgment.
Police Protection Ordered for Judge Tabassum Khan
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred near Barakhad village in Seoni Malwa. A truck was carrying around 30 cattle from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra. Moreover, some villagers and alleged cow protestors stopped the truck. They assaulted the people inside, killing one man while another survived. Soon after the verdict, videos allegedly circulated on social media showing people threatening the judge.
According to reports, one video warned the judge about serious consequences if authorities did not release the convicted people. Additionally, another video allegedly made communal remarks against Judge Tabassum Khan and warned her about facing consequences for the judgment. A division bench of Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avanindra Kumar Singh treated the matter seriously on Wednesday. They observed that threats against judicial officers could affect the judiciary’s freedom and independent functioning. The High Court stated that judges must perform their duties according to the law, without fear or external pressure.
High Court Seeks Action Against those Issuing Threats To Judge Tabassum Khan
The bench considered the matter serious and ordered the Additional Advocate General to ensure that the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) submitted an affidavit within three days. The affidavit must explain the steps taken to identify those responsible for affecting the judiciary’s freedom and independent functioning, and the action taken against them.
According to the order, the bench also directed the Superintendent of Police (SP), Narmadapuram, to protect Judicial Officer Judge Tabassum Khan, Additional Judge, Seoni Malwa. The bench also directed the SP to inform the court about the steps taken to identify and act against those responsible for threatening judicial officers.
State Outlines Security Measures; Next Hearing on July 9
The State Government informed the High Court about the security arrangements already made to protect Judge Tabassum Khan. According to the State Government, officials provided a Personal Security Officer (PSO). Furthermore, the state deployed around six police personnel and kept senior police officials in contact with the judge.
During the hearing, the Additional Advocate General informed the court that police had registered an FIR regarding the alleged threats against Judge Tabassum Khan. Now, the court has scheduled the matter for a further hearing on July 9. The court continues to monitor the safety of judicial officers to ensure that authorities uphold the rule of law without intimidation or fear from external forces.
Read more on ANI.
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