Convict and lawyer accused of issuing death threats and harassing woman judge after sentencing; court refers matter for contempt proceedings and alerts NCW.
📍New Delhi | April 22, 2025
In a shocking incident at Dwarka District Court, a 63-year-old retired government teacher convicted in a cheque bounce case allegedly threatened and verbally abused Judicial Magistrate First Class Shivangi Mangla following the pronouncement of the verdict on April 2.
The convict, who was sentenced to 22 months in prison and fined ₹6.65 lakh, reportedly erupted in anger in the courtroom, allegedly shouting at the judge:
“Tu hai kya cheez… Tu bahar mil, dekhte hain kaise zinda ghar jaati hai.”
⚖️ Convict & Lawyer Accused of Intimidation
According to court records, the convict—accompanied by his lawyer Atul Kumar—not only issued direct threats to the judge but also attempted to throw an object at her in court after learning of the guilty verdict.
In her official order dated April 5, Magistrate Mangla noted:
“The accused and his counsel harassed me both mentally and physically and tried to force me to resign from my job and acquit the accused.”
The judge also revealed that derogatory language, including personal attacks involving her family, was used in open court.
📩 Legal Response and Safety Measures
Following the incident, the case was escalated to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dwarka, for referral to the Delhi High Court. The judge has also recommended the matter be brought to the attention of the National Commission for Women (NCW) due to the gendered nature of the abuse.
Furthermore, lawyer Atul Kumar has been issued a show-cause notice to explain why contempt of court proceedings should not be initiated against him.
🧑⚖️ Defence Seeks Leniency
The defence argued that the convict is a pension-dependent retiree with three unemployed adult sons. His lawyer requested the court take a lenient view while sentencing. However, the judge maintained that such post-verdict conduct demanded strict legal scrutiny.
The accused has since been granted bail to file an appeal before a higher court.
🔍 Case Background
The conviction stemmed from a cheque bounce case under the Negotiable Instruments Act, in which the court found the accused guilty of failing to honour a financial obligation. The court sentenced him to 22 months’ imprisonment and imposed a ₹6.65 lakh fine.
📌 Tags:
Dwarka Court, cheque bounce case, judicial harassment, judge threatened, contempt of court, Delhi courts, JD Mangla, Atul Kumar lawyer, cheque dishonour, criminal intimidation, National Commission for Women, court violence, legal proceedings India