Supreme Court Bar Association Condemns Threats Against MP Judge Tabassum Khan After Cow Vigilantes' Conviction

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Friday strongly condemned the threats, intimidation and social media campaign targeting Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan of Madhya Pradesh following her judgment convicting and sentencing members of a cow vigilante group in a lynching case.

In a statement issued on July 3, the SCBA expressed solidarity with the judicial officer and called upon the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the State Government to ensure prompt action against those responsible for threatening the judge and inciting hatred against her.

"The Supreme Court Bar Association strongly condemns the reported threats, abusive social media campaign and acts of intimidation directed against Ms. Tabassum Khan... following a judgment delivered by her in the discharge of her judicial duties," the statement said.

The Bar body noted that reports indicated the judge had been subjected to threats and online abuse after pronouncing the verdict in a criminal case, which led to the registration of an FIR and enhancement of her security.

Emphasising the importance of protecting judicial officers, the SCBA said the district judiciary forms the foundation of India's justice delivery system and that judges decide thousands of sensitive civil and criminal matters every day.

"They deserve the assurance that the law will protect them whenever they faithfully discharge their constitutional responsibilities," the statement said.

Reiterating its support for Judge Khan, the SCBA said it remained firmly committed to safeguarding the independence, dignity and impartiality of the judiciary.

"An independent judiciary is one of the cornerstones of our Constitution, and any attempt to undermine it must be firmly resisted," it said.

The Bar Association urged the Madhya Pradesh High Court and the State Government to ensure a prompt, fair and effective investigation into the matter.

It called upon the authorities to identify all those responsible for issuing threats or inciting hatred against the judicial officer and to take strict action against them in accordance with law.

Earlier, the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association had issued a statement expressing solidarity with Judge Khan.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has already taken suo motu cognisance of the threats against the judge and sought a response from the State authorities regarding the steps taken to ensure her safety and investigate the matter.