In a distressing incident in Mathura’s Civil Lines area, a 65-year-old woman attempted to climb a tree in protest, alleging that a local magistrate had demanded a bribe of ₹50,000 to resolve her long-pending case.

The woman, identified as Sona from Sujavali village in Chhata tehsil, staged the dramatic protest claiming that justice was being delayed intentionally. She accused Atul Kumar Singh Chauhan, Special Judicial Magistrate of the Agra Canal division, of demanding money to expedite the resolution of her legal dispute.

Sona has reportedly been engaged in a legal battle for over 11 years concerning a disputed government drain that runs through her farmland. Despite numerous hearings under the Irrigation Department, a final decision has yet to be reached. She stated that in 2015, another farmer also filed a case related to the same land, further complicating the matter.

Frustrated by the prolonged legal process, Sona alleged that court dates kept being postponed with no substantial progress. She also shared that she had spent a significant amount of money on travel for court appearances, only to return home disappointed each time.

As her protest unfolded, local residents quickly informed the authorities. A two-hour rescue operation ensued, with fire brigade officials and police managing to safely bring her down. The incident was captured on video and soon went viral on social media.

Responding to the allegations, Magistrate Atul Kumar Singh Chauhan said this was not the first time Sona had taken such a step, suggesting there may be a recurring pattern to her protests.