The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) condemned threats and a coordinated social media campaign against MP Judge Tabassum Khan, saying judicial orders must be challenged in appellate courts, not through intimidation, as such conduct undermines judicial independence and the rule of law.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) strongly condemned the threats and coordinated social media campaign targeting Madhya Pradesh Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan in the wake of her sentencing order.
Judge Khan had sentenced 14 men to life imprisonment for the 2022 lynching of a Muslim man, Nazir Ahmad, who was assaulted by a mob over allegations that he was involved in cattle smuggling.
In a statement dated July 1, SCAORA said that judicial orders must be challenged only through legal channels, and not through intimidation or personal attacks directed at judges.
The Association said,
“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,”
The Association further underlined that any attempt to threaten judges undermines the independence of the judiciary.
The statement said,
“Judicial orders are to be challenged before appellate courts, not through intimidation, vilification or threats against judges. Such conduct strikes at the very foundation of judicial independence and the rule of law,”
SCAORA warned that if judges were to fear personal repercussions for decisions made in accordance with law, it would negatively impact the independence and day-to-day functioning of district courts nationwide.
Describing the district judiciary as the backbone of our justice delivery system, SCAORA said judicial officers must be able to perform their duties without fear or intimidation.
In a show of support for Judge Khan, the Association called on authorities to safeguard her security and protect the respect and autonomy of judicial officers.
The statement added,
“The Association stands in solidarity with the learned Judge and expresses the hope that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure her safety and to uphold the independence and dignity of every judicial officer,”
The statement comes days after Judge Khan convicted all 14 accused in connection with the August 2022 mob lynching of Nazir Ahmad, a resident of Amravati, Maharashtra.
According to the prosecution, Ahmad was travelling in a truck carrying cattle when it was stopped near Barakhad village in Seoni Malwa, Narmadapuram district, during the night of August 2–3, 2022. The prosecution alleged that a mob assaulted the truck driver and two other occupants after suspecting them of transporting cattle illegally.
Police admitted the injured victims to hospital, where Nazir Ahmad later died due to his injuries. The other two victims survived. After a trial lasting nearly three years, the Additional District and Sessions Court at Seoni Malwa convicted all 14 accused of murder and handed them life sentences.
Following the verdict, large numbers of the convicts’ family members gathered outside the court premises. As police moved the convicts to jail, some relatives allegedly attempted to block the police vehicle, with reports that a few individuals lay down in front of it.
Emotional scenes unfolded outside the court as family members claimed the accused were involved in activities such as gau seva and gau raksha. The sentencing also reportedly sparked a targeted social media campaign against Judge Khan, drawing condemnation from segments of the legal community.