New Delhi [India], April 22 (HBTV): A serious incident unfolded at the Dwarka court on April 2, where a convict and his lawyer allegedly issued death threats to a woman judge after the convict was sentenced in a bounced cheque case.

The 63-year-old convict, a retired government teacher, was sentenced to 22 months' imprisonment and fined INR 6,65,000. Reportedly angered by the conviction, the man shouted at the judge: ‘Tu hai kya cheez... ki tu bahar mil, dekhte hai kaise zinda ghar jaati hai’.

On April 5, Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) Shivangi Mangla referred the matter to the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Dwarka, for further referral to the High Court for appropriate proceedings based on her order dated April 2.

The judge had pronounced the conviction judgment and listed the matter for sentencing arguments. Following the pronouncement, the convict reportedly grew agitated and began verbally abusing the judge in the courtroom. The court noted that the man harassed the judge using derogatory language and attempted to throw an object at her.

‘The accused started harassing the judge in open court in unofficial Hindi with commentary against the mother of the judge,’ the order noted.

Both the convict and his lawyer allegedly demanded that the judge resign and acquit the accused. The judge stated in her order: ‘Then again, they both harassed mentally and physically to resign from their jobs, and they both again harassed to acquit the accused, else they will file a complaint against me and forcibly arrange my resignation.’

The court expressed concern over the convict’s threatening behaviour and decided to initiate appropriate proceedings before the National Commission for Women. The judge also issued a show-cause notice to the convict’s lawyer, Atul Kumar, asking why he should not be referred to the High Court for contempt proceedings.

During the sentencing hearing, the counsel for the convict pleaded for leniency, noting that the man was a retired government teacher living on his pension, with three unemployed adult sons dependent on him.

Despite the sentence, the convict has been granted bail to challenge the conviction before a higher court.

(ANI)