Woman Judge Threatened 'Speak less if you want to Stay Alive': HC jolts MHA & Delhi Govt into action on District Court Security

The Delhi High Court has ordered senior officials from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, the Delhi government, and the Delhi Police to convene within one week to urgently address the long-pending matter of security arrangements for district court judges across the capital, with a follow-up report due before the bench within a fortnight.

The case originates from a petition filed by the Judicial Service Association of Delhi, which represents trial court judges citywide. The Association painted a troubling picture of daily vulnerability, judges commuting in personal vehicles without escorts, facing road rage, stalking, and open threats. The situation is compounded by the nature of their caseloads, which frequently include gang-related criminal trials. Incidents of firing on court premises have also been cited, placing the physical safety of judicial officers in direct and daily jeopardy.

The petition specifically sought the deployment of Personal Security Officers for district judges and the reinforcement of residential security. Senior Advocate Kirti Uppal, appearing for the Association, pointed to Maharashtra and Gujarat as states that have already institutionalized such protections, highlighting Delhi's conspicuous inaction by comparison.

Justice Manoj Jain left no ambiguity about where the Court stood, declaring the matter one that could not be minimized "from any angle whatsoever." The bench found it particularly significant that a formal representation had already been sent to the Delhi High Court's Registrar General, yet its fate remained unknown, prompting the Court to direct that the Registrar General be impleaded as a party and ordered to submit a status report.

The most striking detail before the Court was a direct threat reportedly issued to a sitting woman judge, "Kam bolo agar jeena hai to", speak less if you want to stay alive.

The Court further directed that the inter-agency meeting must also examine security frameworks adopted by other states as a benchmark for any proposed arrangement in Delhi.