NJ Man Threatened To Cut Off Fingers, Kill Judges: U.S. Attorney

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — A former Hillsborough man is accused of making violent threats, including cutting off fingers, against multiple court judges, an elected official, and a Somerset County resident, U.S. Attorney Alina Habba announced.

Abhinaba Barthakur, 58, formerly of Hillsborough Township, a dual citizen of the United States and India, was charged on Thursday in an Indictment with five counts of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce and one count of retaliating against a federal judge by threat.

In December 2018, Barthakur left the United States, and he has not returned.

Around July 14, 2020, Barthakur reportedly called the office of a government official in the executive branch of the State of New Jersey, whose office was in Somerville, and left a voicemail threatening to assault and remove the official's fingers, according to the allegations in the indictment.

Around Sept. 13, 202,0 and Sept. 22, 2020, Barthakur called the chambers of a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Civil Division and left voicemails threatening to assault and remove the Judge's fingers, according to authorities.

During the September 13, 2020 call to the Judge, Barthakur also threatened to injure another New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Somerset Vicinage Family Division, specifically threatening to injure the Judge's fingers, according to authorities.

Around October 16, 2023, Barthakur reportedly called a Somerset County resident and left voicemails threatening to assault and murder them, including using a .22 caliber handgun, according to authorities.

On November 26, 2024, Barthakur reportedly called the chambers of a United States District Court Judge, in the District of New Jersey (a third and different judge), and threatened to assault and murder the judge using a .22 caliber handgun.

Barthakur threatened to assault and murder the Judge "with intent to impede, intimidate, and interfere with Judge 3 while he or she was engaged in the performance of his or her official duties, and to retaliate against Judge 3 on account of the performance of his or her official duties."

"Let today’s Indictment serve as both a warning and a wake-up call. My office will act quickly and decisively against anyone who threatens a public official," said Habba. "The conduct alleged in the Indictment is as heinous as it is troubling: threats to a federal judge, two state superior court judges, an elected official, and a private New Jersey resident. The conduct is not just reckless — it is a direct attack on our justice system. Targeting those who uphold the rule of law is an attack on every community they serve. This egregious behavior is unacceptable. And, as the charges make clear, no matter where you are, we will find you and hold you responsible."

Each charge of transmitting a threat in interstate or foreign commerce carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of five years. The charge of retaliating against a federal judge by threat carries a statutory maximum term of imprisonment of ten years. The charges each carry a maximum fine of $250,000.

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