On July 12, 2026, Tabassum Khan, an Indian judge in Madhya Pradesh, faced severe online abuse and death threats following her sentencing of 14 men to life imprisonment for the lynching of Nazir Ahmad. The case highlighted the dangers of cow vigilantism in India, where cows are considered sacred by many Hindus.
Details of the Lynching Case
The brutal incident occurred in 2022 when Ahmad, aged 50, was transporting cattle at night. He was intercepted by a group of self-proclaimed gau rakshaks, who suspected him of smuggling cows. Ahmad and his two companions were violently assaulted, leading to Ahmad's death from his injuries.
In her judgment, Judge Khan emphasized that the case was a clear example of mob lynching. However, her decision sparked a wave of religiously charged backlash, with the focus shifting from legal arguments to her identity as a Muslim. The aftermath of the verdict saw a surge in threats and derogatory videos targeting Khan online.
Online Abuse and Threats
Following the verdict, videos surfaced featuring Hindu right-wing influencers issuing threats against Khan, often using communal slurs. One particularly alarming video warned of potential 'bloodshed' across the country unless the convicted men were released within ten days. These threats gained traction on social media, attracting thousands of likes and shares.
In response to the escalating abuse, judicial bodies rallied in support of Khan. She has since been provided police protection as safety concerns mount. Prominent judicial organizations, such as the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), have condemned the threats and demanded accountability for those responsible.
Judicial Response and Public Outcry
On June 22, 2026, the Gau Raksha Parishad staged protests in Punjab, during which they assaulted and burned an effigy of Judge Khan. Three days later, the Rashtriya Bajrang Dal held protests in Uttar Pradesh, calling for the release of the cow protectors.
Former Supreme Court judge Markandey Katju criticized the attacks on Khan, stating that they aimed to delegitimize her authority as a judicial officer based solely on her religion. He emphasized that judicial decisions should be assessed based on legal reasoning rather than the identity of the judge.
In a statement, Vikas Singh, president of the SCBA, warned that threats against judges undermine the foundation of democracy. He stated, "If we allow this to happen, no judge will be able to dispense justice." The police have initiated investigations, with arrests made and efforts underway to trace those spreading inflammatory content online.
- Key Events:
- June 12, 2026: Judge Khan convicts 14 men for lynching.
- June 22, 2026: Gau Raksha Parishad protests in Punjab.
- July 12, 2026: Judge Khan receives death threats.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by BBC World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
