Gyanvapi judge claims 'receiving death threats from international numbers': Report
What's the story
Additional Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar has raised concerns over receiving "malicious calls and death threats from international numbers," according to a letter he wrote to Bareily Senior Superintendent of Police Sushil Chandrabhan Ghule. Known for his decision to conduct a video survey of the Gyanvapi Mosque complex in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh in 2022, Diwakar has requested an inquiry into these threats. To recall, Judge Diwakar had raised similar concerns soon after the Gyanvapi judgment as well.
Security concerns
Diwakar's security detail consists of two personnel
In 2022, following the threats, the Allahabad High Court approved Y-category security for Diwakar and his family, which was later downgraded to X-category. Currently, his security detail consists of two personnel. According to reports, one of his colleagues has said that the security is not sufficient as the these personnel are not equipped to confront terrorists armed with automatic guns and modern weaponry.
In 2023
PFI agent arrested from near Diwakar's home last year
Last year, a Popular Front of India (PFI) agent was arrested from the vicinity of Diwakar's residence in Lucknow. Following the incident, a gunner was stationed by Shahjahanpur SSP Ashok Kumar Meena at the residence of Justice Diwakar's brother, Dinesh Kumar Diwakar, who is an additional district judge. The security cover later pulled out in the wake of Lok Sabha elections.
2010 Bareilly riots
Diwakar summonded cleric, politician Raza to face trial
Diwakar was recently transferred to Bareilly. As the additional district judge, Bareilly, he had summoned senior cleric and politician Tauqeer Raza to face trial for allegedly being the mastermind behind the Bareilly riots case of 2010. Taking suo motu cognizance and issuing summons on March 5, the judge had concluded that Raza, who is also the head of Ittehad-e-Millat Council, a local political outfit, had incited members of his community through his speech, leading to subsequent violence in 2010.