Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh High Court has ordered police protection for Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan after she allegedly received threats following her verdict in a 2022 lynching case. The High Court said that threatening a judge for delivering a judicial decision weakens judicial independence and the fearless functioning of courts. The court has also asked senior state officials to explain what action has been taken against those responsible for the threats.
Background of Judge Tabassum Khan Mob Lynching Verdict Threat Case
The matter came before the Madhya Pradesh High Court after reports surfaced that Judge Tabassum Khan faced threats following her judgment in a lynching case. The judge had, on June 12, 2026, sentenced seven men to life imprisonment for the killing of truck driver Sheikh Lala Nazir Ahmed, who was beaten to death in August 2022 after being suspected of cow smuggling.
Read also: Advocate Jagrati Shukla Death Case: Allahabad High Court Orders Judicial Investigation
The trial court found that the prosecution had proved the accused took part in the attack beyond reasonable doubt.
Judge Tabassum Khan Mob Lynching Verdict Threat Case: High Court Takes Serious View
A Division Bench of Justices Vivek Agarwal and Avanindra Kumar Singh said that threats against judicial officers are a serious matter. The court observed that such actions directly affect the independence of the judiciary and make it difficult for judges to perform their duties without fear.
According to the court, judicial officers must be able to decide cases only on the basis of facts and law, without facing pressure or intimidation.
Police Protection Ordered
The High Court directed that police security be provided and continued for Judge Tabassum Khan. It also instructed the Director General of Police (DGP) and the Additional Chief Secretary/Principal Secretary (Home Department) to submit details of the steps taken to identify and take legal action against those who allegedly issued threats.
The Superintendent of Police, Narmadapuram, has also been asked to report the action taken in the case.
Court’s Strong Message
The Bench made it clear that judges cannot be threatened simply because someone disagrees with a court order. The judges noted that every judicial decision can be challenged through legal remedies such as appeals. However, threatening or targeting a judicial officer is unacceptable and undermines the rule of law.
Background of the Lynching Case
The case relates to the killing of truck driver Sheikh Lala Nazir Ahmed in Seoni Malwa, Narmadapuram district, in August 2022. According to the trial court, Ahmed was assaulted by a group of people on suspicion of cow smuggling and later died from the injuries.
After examining the evidence, the court convicted seven accused and sentenced them to life imprisonment. Reports also said that there were tense scenes outside the court after the verdict was announced.
