# Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar in Muzaffarnagar Says Death is Better Than Being Called a Coward

> A sessions judge in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, sentenced a man to death in a dowry murder case, declaring that he prefers death over yielding to criminal pressure.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Uttar Pradesh · **Published:** 2026-09-08 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/judge-ravi-kumar-diwakar-in-muzaffarnagar-says-death-is-better-than-being-called-a-coward-29521 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Muzaffarnagar, Ravi Kumar Diwakar, Death Penalty, Dowry Murder, Uttar Pradesh News, Judiciary

A firm judicial stand has emerged from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, where Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar delivered a death sentence in a dowry murder case while firmly rejecting any intimidation from criminal elements. The judge asserted that he refuses to succumb to pressure from mafias, gangsters, or lawbreakers while executing his official duties, noting that his parents taught him to fear God alone.

 This ruling marks the 23rd death penalty handed down by the judge over the past four months. He warned that if judges yield to the might of strongmen and criminals while upholding the law, public faith in the judiciary would completely collapse.

 

## Refusal to Compromise on Principles
 Emphasizing his dedication to judicial ethics during the proceedings, the judge made his stance clear.

 
> I would prefer to embrace death rather than be called a coward judge.
 The judge also highlighted that he has been receiving threats from criminal syndicates and alleged that nearly 100 serious cases were withdrawn from his court to benefit wrongdoers. Citing security concerns after his protection detail in Muzaffarnagar was reportedly scaled down, he has sought enhanced security from senior officials.

 

## Details of the Dowry Murder Case
 Government counsel Kuldeep Kumar stated that the court convicted the accused, Nadeem, under relevant sections of the law and imposed a fine of one lakh rupees. The incident dates back to July 23, 2018, in the Shahpur town area, where Nadeem set his 23-year-old wife, Shahjadi, on fire following persistent demands for dowry.

 Shahjadi was rushed in critical condition to Safdarjang Hospital in Delhi, where she eventually succumbed to her injuries. In her dying declaration recorded prior to her death, she directly accused Nadeem of setting her ablaze. Although all 11 prosecution witnesses turned hostile during the trial, the court relied on the victim's dying declaration to establish guilt and secure a conviction.

 

## Surge in Capital Punishments and Administrative Transfers
 Over the last four months, Judge Diwakar's fast-track court has awarded the death penalty to 23 individuals across 11 separate cases. Amidst these strict rulings, an administrative order in August transferred nearly 100 pending murder trials from his court to the bench of District and Sessions Judge Virendra Kumar Singh.

 District Bar Association President Pramod Tyagi noted that the transfer took place amid apprehensions among lawyers and litigants that the fast-track court might hand down more death sentences. Meanwhile, safety concerns for judicial officers gained wider attention following an incident in Mumbai's Dadar area, where miscreants surrounded a judge's car in the middle of the road and issued death threats, prompting the local police to register a case against two individuals.

## What this means for you
This development involving judicial security and strict sentencing impacts court administration and legal proceedings.

    - **Across India:** The incident brings renewed national attention to the safety protocols surrounding judges handling high-profile and sensitive criminal trials.

    - **In Muzaffarnagar:** Local legal proceedings and the administrative transfer of pending murder trials have directly affected litigants and attorneys operating in the district.

    - **Security Protocols:** Reports of threats and reduced security details have prompted a closer review of protection measures for judicial officers at the local level.

    - **Fast-Track Trials:** Strict rulings in heinous crimes and dowry harassment cases send a deterrent signal regarding crimes against women in the justice system.

    - **Administrative Shifts:** The reallocation of cases between different district courts influences how pending matters are processed and heard in fast-track forums.

## Why this happened
The judge's strong stand against criminal pressure and the high frequency of death sentences stem from specific case backgrounds and trial dynamics.

    - **Dying Declaration Evidence:** Despite all 11 prosecution witnesses turning hostile during the trial, the court relied on the victim's dying declaration recorded before her death to secure a conviction.

    - **Criminal Threats:** The judge reported receiving threats from criminal networks and mafias following a series of stringent judgments delivered by his fast-track court.

    - **Administrative Case Transfers:** Pending murder trials were administratively reassigned to another court in August amid growing concerns among litigants about potential death penalties.

    - **Judicial Independence:** The presiding officer emphasized that upholding strict judicial duties is essential to prevent the erosion of public trust in the legal system.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Which judge delivered the death sentences in Muzaffarnagar?
Additional District and Sessions Judge Ravi Kumar Diwakar delivered the rulings.

### 2. How many death sentences has the judge delivered in recent months?
He has sentenced 23 people to death across 11 cases in the last 4 months.

### 3. What is the background of the specific dowry case mentioned?
The case relates to an incident on July 23, 2018, in Shahpur town where a woman was set on fire over dowry demands.

### 4. What was the name and age of the victim?
The victim was 23-year-old Shahjadi.

### 5. Who was convicted by the court in this case?
The court convicted an individual named Nadeem.

### 6. On what basis was the accused convicted even though witnesses turned hostile?
The court convicted the accused based on the victim's dying declaration recorded before her death.

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