A high-profile case in India has sparked concerns for the safety of the country's judges after a Muslim judge faced online abuse and death threats following the conviction of 14 Hindu men for their role in a 2022 lynching.
The men were found guilty of murder, attempt to murder, and other charges in relation to the death of a 50-year-old man who was transporting cattle. The attack took place in the state of Madhya Pradesh, where Hindus consider cows sacred.
The judge, Tabassum Khan, noted in her judgment that the crime was a clear case of mob lynching. However, the conviction has made her the target of religious hate, with numerous videos abusing and threatening Khan surfacing online.
The attacks on Khan have focused on her religion rather than the legal reasoning behind her verdict. Leading judicial bodies have rallied behind her, and she has been given police protection.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation in India, with many expressing concern for the safety of judges and the rule of law. The incident has also highlighted the dangers of Hindu nationalism and the rise of violence against Muslims in the country.