National Citizen Party (NCP) MP Hasnat Abdullah on Wednesday warned that any attempt to exert undue control over judges will ultimately harm the country, stressing that safeguarding judicial independence is essential for maintaining the rule of law.

In a Facebook post on his verified page, he said 28 judges have been served show-cause notices for expressing opinions within their internal groups.

“This is the most worrying area. If judges cannot have constructive discussions among themselves in a safe space, then where does the independence of the judiciary actually stand?” Hasnat Abdullah wrote.

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Taking action against judges based on screenshots, he added, is a clear attempt to intimidate in the judiciary. “The message is very clear: ‘Keep quiet, otherwise you will get into trouble.’”

Referring to the period after August 5, the NCP lawmaker said there was a time when judges seemed able to think and write with some courage, but that atmosphere is now slowly giving way to fear. “If such pressure continues on the judiciary, the place where the common people can seek justice also weakens.”

He emphasised that this is not an issue of individuals but of the system as a whole. “If the voice of judges is controlled in this way, the entire country will ultimately have to pay the price. This decision needs to be at least reconsidered.”

“The judiciary cannot be strengthened through intimidation; it can only be weakened,” Hasnat said.