The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday condemned alleged threats, abusive social media campaign and acts of intimidation directed against Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan who sentenced 14 members of a cow vigilante group to life imprisonment for the 2022 lynching of a Muslim man over allegations of cattle smuggling.
“The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) expects the High Court of Madhya Pradesh and the government of Madhya Pradesh to ensure a prompt, fair and effective investigation into the matter, identify all those responsible for issuing threats or inciting hatred against the judicial officer, and take strict action against them in accordance with law,” the bar body said in a statement issued by its secretary Pragya Baghel.
It said reports indicated that the judicial officer was subjected to threats and online abuse after pronouncing a verdict in a criminal case, resulting in the registration of an FIR and the enhancement of her security.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) too has condemned the threats and targeted social media campaigns against Khan.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, SCAORA said judicial orders must be challenged only through legal remedies and not by intimidation or personal attacks against judges.
“The Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association unequivocally condemns the threats and targeted social media campaign against Ms. Tabassum Khan, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Madhya Pradesh, following the discharge of her judicial duties,” SCAORA said.
