Muslim Woman judge faces online abuse after sentencing 14 in lynching case

A Muslim woman judge in Madhya Pradesh has faced online abuse, threats, and criticism from Hindutva groups after sentencing 14 alleged cow vigilantes to life imprisonment in connection with the 2022 mob lynching of a Muslim truck driver in Narmadapuram district.

On June 12, Additional District and Sessions Judge Tabassum Khan convicted the 14 accused, describing the attack as extremely violent. The court held that the accused had formed an unlawful assembly with the shared intention of assaulting the occupants of the vehicle, Maktoob Media reported.

The case relates to the night of August 2–3, 2022, when Nazir Ahmed, who was transporting cattle from Madhya Pradesh to Maharashtra, was allegedly stopped by a mob near Barakhar village in Seoni Malwa and beaten to death.

Following the verdict, relatives of the convicted men reportedly protested outside the court. Emotional scenes were witnessed as family members cried and attempted to prevent the convicts from being taken to prison, with some allegedly lying in front of police vehicles. Authorities later brought the situation under control.

After the judgment, several Hindutva organisations and groups identifying themselves as cow protection bodies protested against the decision. Some protesters turned the issue into a communal controversy, focusing on the judge’s Muslim identity rather than the details of the case.

Demonstrators reportedly burned effigies of Judge Khan, accused her of being anti-Hindu, and circulated offensive messages targeting her on social media.

A viral video allegedly showed a Hindutva activist using a derogatory term against Muslim women while issuing threats of widespread violence if the convicted men were not released within 10 days.

The campaign also received backing from Sudarshan News editor Suresh Chavhanke, who criticised the verdict on his programme, calling it a form of “judicial lynching” and expressing support for those claiming to represent cow protection groups.

Following the online campaign, police registered an FIR at Seoni Malwa police station after taking suo motu notice of social media posts targeting the judge. According to reports, the complaint includes the viral video containing alleged communal remarks and threats. Police said efforts were underway to identify those involved in creating and sharing the content.

Senior Congress leader Pawan Khera criticised the attacks on Judge Khan, arguing that the accused were convicted based on evidence related to crimes such as rioting, attempted murder, and murder, rather than their religious identity. He alleged that the criticism was focused on the fact that the presiding judge was a Muslim woman.

Khera said that such communal remarks would normally invite immediate legal action in a democratic society and questioned why those making inflammatory statements had not faced similar consequences.

Meanwhile, the satirical X account “Nehr_Who?” claimed that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ Cyber Cell had issued it a notice asking for the removal of the threatening video or warning of legal consequences.

"Only in India, a criminal goes scot-free while the whistleblower faces intimidation," the page wrote.