Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar has delivered his 23rd death sentence in five months, citing intense pressure and alleged threats from criminal elements. The judge also alleged that approximately 100 serious cases were transferred from his docket, sparking questions about judicial independence and regional legal stability in Muzaffarnagar.
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, presiding over a fast-track court in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, has reached a notable milestone by issuing his 23rd capital punishment verdict within a five-month timeframe. In a recent court order concerning a dowry-related murder conviction, the judge explicitly addressed the challenging environment in which he operates, stating that he would prefer death over the label of a 'coward judge.'
The judge’s recent comments highlight a tense situation involving alleged intimidation by criminal elements. He claimed that these threats are linked to his firm stance on criminal cases, emphasizing that yielding to such pressure would undermine the public's trust in the judiciary. The conviction was secured despite reports of prosecution witnesses turning hostile, with the court relying on the victim’s dying declaration recorded at a hospital in Delhi.
Beyond the sentencing itself, there is growing attention on the administrative handling of cases within the district. Judge Diwakar alleged that approximately 100 murder and serious criminal cases were transferred from his docket to another district and sessions judge in August 2026. These administrative transfers have become a point of public discussion, with concerns raised about the impact on case continuity and the overall legal environment in the region.
The judge has a history of presiding over high-profile and sensitive matters. In 2022, he ordered a videographic survey of the Gyanvapi mosque complex, a decision that drew national and international attention and resulted in threats against him. Additionally, in March 2024, his description of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a 'philosopher king' in a riot-related court order was later expunged by the Allahabad High Court, illustrating the scrutiny often applied to his judicial observations.
For those monitoring the regional legal climate, the developments in the Muzaffarnagar court highlight the broader challenges of judicial administration and the pressure on the subordinate judiciary in sensitive criminal cases. The core monitorable for legal observers remains how the judicial administration manages case distribution and security concerns, and whether these administrative actions will affect the pace or outcome of other ongoing high-stakes criminal proceedings.