New Delhi: A disturbing incident took place at Delhi’s Dwarka Court on 2 April 2025, when a 63-year-old retired government schoolteacher, convicted in a cheque bounce case, allegedly threatened and verbally abused the presiding judge after the verdict was announced. The convict was sentenced to 22 months’ imprisonment and fined ₹6,65,000.

According to the court’s order, the accused reacted aggressively after Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Shivangi Mangla pronounced the judgment. In a display of open defiance and hostility, he reportedly shouted at the judge, saying, “Tu hai kya cheez... ki tu bahar mil dekhte hai kaise zinda ghar jaati hai” — a threat implying harm outside the courtroom.

The judge recorded that the convict, along with his advocate Atul Kumar, began harassing her in court following the verdict. The judge stated that the convict attempted to throw an object at her and used offensive language targeting her family. Both the convict and his lawyer allegedly pressured the judge to resign and threatened to file false complaints unless she acquitted the accused.

On 5 April, the matter was referred to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dwarka, for potential escalation to the Delhi High Court for appropriate proceedings, including contempt of court actions.

The court order noted that the behaviour of both the convict and his legal counsel constituted not only verbal intimidation but also psychological and physical harassment. The judge expressed concern over the increasing instances of such conduct in courtrooms and called for appropriate legal measures.

The Punjab National Commission for Women may also be approached, given the nature of the threats made against a woman judge in the course of her duties.

The convict’s counsel, while requesting leniency, stated that his client is a pension-dependent retiree with three adult sons who remain unemployed. Despite the request, the court proceeded with sentencing but granted bail to the convict to allow him to challenge the judgment in a higher court.

The defence lawyer, Atul Kumar, has been issued a show-cause notice asking why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against him for his conduct in court.

The incident highlights growing concerns around the safety and security of judicial officers, particularly in cases where verdicts provoke aggressive reactions from convicts and their legal representatives.