A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Agarwal and Justice Avnindra Kumar Singh observed that a judicial officer cannot be threatened merely because a section of society disagrees with a court verdict. The Bench stated that such attempts amount to direct pressure on the judiciary and undermine the administration of justice. The court directed the Director General of Police and the Additional Chief Secretary of the Home Department to file affidavits within three days detailing the action taken in the matter.
The controversy arose after Additional District Judge Tabassum Khan, on June 12, convicted 14 accused in the 2022 Seoni Malwa mob lynching case linked to alleged cattle smuggling and sentenced all of them to life imprisonment. The convicted men were found guilty under various provisions relating to murder, attempted murder, rioting, and wrongful restraint following a trial that lasted nearly three years.
Soon after the verdict, several videos surfaced on social media in which individuals allegedly issued open threats against Judge Tabassum Khan. In one viral video, a man warned that if the 14 convicted men were not released within 10 days, there would be a "massacre" across the state and the country. Another viral video allegedly showed a woman making communal remarks against the judge, accusing her of revealing her "true colours" after sentencing the 14 "Hindu brothers" to life imprisonment. She further warned that the judge would have to "face the consequences."
Taking serious note of the threatening content circulating online, the Cyber Cell under the Ministry of Home Affairs issued notices under the Information Technology Act. Meanwhile, the Seoni Malwa Police Station registered a First Information Report against two unidentified individuals and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for issuing the threats.
During the High Court proceedings, the state government informed the Bench that extensive security arrangements had been made for Judge Tabassum Khan. Narmadapuram Superintendent of Police Sai Krishna S. Thota informed the court that six security personnel had been deployed at the judge's residence, a Personal Security Officer had been assigned for her protection, and senior police officers, including the Sub-Divisional Police Officer, the Officer-in-Charge of Seoni Malwa Police Station, and the Additional Superintendent of Police, remained in constant contact with her.
The High Court also sought a detailed report on the action taken against those responsible for issuing the threats. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing on July 9.
The case originates from the night of August 3, 2022, when a truck transporting nearly 30 cattle from Madhya Pradesh towards Amravati in Maharashtra was intercepted near Barakhad village in Seoni Malwa. According to the prosecution, a mob comprising nearly 50 to 60 villagers and self-styled cow vigilantes surrounded the vehicle and brutally assaulted its three occupants with sticks and clubs.
Nazir Ahmed succumbed to the injuries sustained in the attack, while truck driver Sheikh Lala survived. During the investigation, Sheikh Lala stated that the mob attacked them immediately after forcing the truck to stop without asking any questions. A video of the assault later surfaced, allegedly showing members of the mob repeatedly beating the victims while shouting slogans encouraging others to continue the attack.
Following an extensive trial, the Seoni Malwa court convicted all 14 accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. The subsequent threats against the presiding judge have now escalated the case beyond the criminal conviction, raising serious concerns about the safety of judicial officers and the protection of judicial independence while delivering sensitive and legally significant judgments.
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