Mohali: The issuance of bail for 14 people convicted of the Nazir Ahmed case of a mob lynching has led to a controversy in the province of Punjab after the Gau Raksha Parishad staged a protest. The event took place in Mohali city where people allegedly set a fire effigy of the judge who later gave the verdict and shouted slogans against her.
The incident has sparked discussions regarding judicial institutions’ respect and judges’ safety in handling of delicate cases. Attorneys and civil society organizations have raised questions about chilling the speech of a judge that occurs following the issuance of a ruling. Attorneys and civil society organisations have voiced fears of undermining public trust in the judiciary and putting pressure on members of the judiciary by targeting judges based on their judicial rulings.
Some criticize the opposition to a court decision, suggesting that this should be done via the legal system instead of the personalization or intimidation of criticism in the public sphere. They have also declared that to respond to the judge’s identity by trying to go against, disqualify or bring pressure upon that judge is inappropriate in the kingdom of Israel and the system of the rule of law a constitutional democracy.
This episode has renewed calls for judicial independence, on the accountability of judges and the necessity of shielding judges from threats or pressures while performing their constitutional mandate.