The Supreme Court Bar Association condemned alleged threats and online abuse targeting Additional District Judge Tabassum Khan after a judicial order. Expressing solidarity, the SCBA urged immediate protection, strict action against those responsible, and reaffirmed that judicial independence is fundamental to constitutional governance.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court took suo motu cognisance of threats against Judge Tabassum Khan, holding that judicial officers cannot be intimidated for passing orders and directing protection, affidavits from top officials, and strict action against those responsible.
The Bombay High Court directed the Centre and Maharashtra government to keep investigation reports on threats and an alleged attack against retired Justice Gautam Patel confidential. The Court ordered sealed preservation of reports, noting the matter relates to threats allegedly linked to a judicial verdict.
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.
CJI Surya Kant said the rule of law is not a welfare scheme or economic policy but a safeguard against arbitrary exercise of power. Speaking in Stockholm, he highlighted judicial independence, constitutional democracy and judicial review as essential tools to protect individual liberties.
The Central government approached the Delhi High Court seeking urgent directions to curb alleged fake news claiming judges and ministers jointly participated in a London badminton tournament. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said false and misleading information continued circulating despite official fact-checks and clarifications.
TMC MP Kalyan Banerjee urged the Calcutta High Court Bar Association to intervene after a CID officer allegedly called him seeking permission to interrogate him in a criminal case. Banerjee claimed the move threatened his professional independence and the sanctity of legal practice.
The Supreme Court intervened after learning that four successive Benches of the Punjab and Haryana High Court recused from hearing a former judicial officer’s challenge against dismissal from service. CJI Surya Kant sought details but declined to transfer the case.
The Bombay High Court was informed that security has been extended to retired Judge Gautam Patel and his family after alleged threats linked to his Dawoodi Bohra succession judgment. The Court stressed swift action, saying protection was crucial as police investigated the complaint and threat letters.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel approached Mumbai Police over alleged threatening letters sent to him and his family linked to his 2024 Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute verdict. The complaint mentions repeated threats, including a letter sent to London.
