Judge Tabassum Khan's Message to Justice Markandey Katju
Description
Why did Judge Tabassum Khan write to Justice Markandey Katju? After facing alleged threats and intimidation following her verdict in a mob lynching case, Judge Tabassum Khan thanked Justice Markandey Katju for his public support, saying it gave her courage during a difficult period. Justice Katju argues that disagreements with judicial decisions should be addressed through the appellate process, not through threats or abuse, and urges strong legal action to safeguard judicial independence and the rule of law.
Judge Tabassum Khan's message to me
By Justice Markandey Katju
I had written an article in praise of Judge Tabassum Khan, the brave Additional District Judge of Narmadapuram, Madhya Pradesh, who convicted some so-called 'gau rakshaks' who killed an innocent Muslim and gravely wounded some others who were transporting cattle. She gave a well-considered judgment on the basis of the evidence and fulfilled her duty.
However, after her judgment, she has been given death threats and all manner of abuses and intimidation by right-wing bigots and 'gau rakshaks ', just because she was a Muslim.
If anyone was dissatisfied with her judgment, he could have filed an appeal to the Madhya Pradesh High Court, but abuse and threats to the judge because of her religious identity is totally unwarranted and unacceptable, apart from being contempt of court.
This morning I received this fb message from Judge Tabassum Khan :
"Respected Sir,
Myself Tabassum khan, Distt & Addl Sessions judge from M.P
Sir, I am extremely thankful from the bottom of my heart for your precious words you shared on your post.
Sir, it gave me immense strength and courage, else I was traumatised and made to feel as if I have committed some crime in delivering that verdict.
I am really very fortunate and lucky to be blessed with your kind words."
I messaged back that she is a brave, upright judge and should not worry. All right-minded Indians are with her, and will always support her. As for the bigots, they are just a bunch of idiots and goons who can do no harm personally to her, however much they may scream and shout, and should therefore be ignored, particularly since the MP High Court has ordered her security.
The Supreme Court Bar Association and other right-minded persons have condemned the threats, abuses and intimidation of her, and demanded strong action against the persons/organizations responsible
I strongly urge the MP High Court to immediately issue contempt of court notices to those giving abuses, intimidation, and threats to Judge Tabassum Khan, and impose the harshest punishment permissible in law on the culprits, otherwise the rule of law will collapse.
(Justice Markandey Katju is a former Judge of the Supreme Court of India, and former Chairman of the Press Council of India. The views expressed are his own.)
Summary
Justice Markandey Katju recounts receiving a message from Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan of Madhya Pradesh, who expressed gratitude for his public support after she allegedly faced threats and online abuse following her verdict in a mob lynching case. Katju contends that judicial decisions should be challenged only through legal appeals and not by intimidation targeting a judge's religious identity. He notes that legal bodies have condemned the threats and calls on the Madhya Pradesh High Court to take stringent action against those responsible to uphold judicial independence and the rule of law.
