Would rather die than be called a coward, says judge who gave 23 death sentences
Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar has issued his 23rd death sentence in five months, citing a commitment to judicial fearlessness despite alleged threats from criminal elements. The judge expressed concerns regarding the influence of mafia groups on the judicial process in Uttar Pradesh.
Why it matters
The judge's public statement highlights significant concerns regarding judicial independence and the safety of the judiciary in the face of organized crime.
Stating that he would rather “die” than be labelled a “coward”, Muzaffarnagar Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar, who has handed down 22 death sentences in five months, on Monday (September 7, 2026) awarded another death sentence in a dowry - murder case, taking the total to 23.
The judge has been in the spotlight earlier, notably after he allowed a survey of the Gyanvapi mosque premises in Varanasi in 2022.
In the latest death sentence, issued on September 7, the judge convicted Mohd. Nadeem of murdering his wife, Shahzadi, by pouring kerosene on her and setting her ablaze in July 2018. Describing the killing as “extremely brutal and barbaric”, the court held that the offence fell within the “rarest of rare” category warranting capital punishment.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in