LI Network
Published on: 25 July 2023 at 11:55 IST
The Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru (AAB), took action on Monday by reaching out to Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud after a disturbing ransom threat was received by the Karnataka High Court. The threat targeted four sitting judges and two former judges, putting their lives at risk.
The High Court’s Public Relations Officer, K Muralidhar, received a threatening message via WhatsApp on July 12, demanding a ransom of ₹50 lakh.
The ominous message warned that unless the money was deposited in an Allied Bank in Pakistan, six judges, namely Justices Mohammad Nawaz, HT Narendra Prasad, HP Sandesh, K Natarajan, and former judges Justices Ashok G Nijagannavar and B Veerappa, would be targeted for assassination.
The gravity of such incidents poses a severe threat to the independence of the judiciary if left unchecked, as external forces may seek to interfere with judicial institutions.
The AAB expressed concern that these developments could undermine public confidence in the judiciary, highlighting the significance of maintaining a bold and fearless judgeship as an essential facet of an independent judiciary.
In response, the AAB urgently requested a comprehensive review of the existing system of protection provided to judges, ensuring it is equipped to tackle modern-day challenges. The association emphasized that the security of the judiciary is of paramount importance, as any breach could have far-reaching consequences.
To address the alarming situation and bring the perpetrators to justice, the AAB called on the CJI to initiate a suo motu public interest litigation (PIL) on behalf of the court.
This action aims to ensure swift and robust protective measures for judges and safeguard the integrity of the judiciary.