CJI meets Indian envoy in UK, assured of security for former HC judge

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has taken up with the Indian High Commissioner the issue of death threats being issued to former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel and his family, linked to a high-profile verdict.

The CJI, who is on an official visit to the United Kingdom, raised the issue with High Commissioner P Kumaran and has been assured that adequate security will be put in place for the former judge and his family. The meeting took place hours after Justice Patel revealed that a threatening letter had been delivered to his daughter’s residence in London, sources said.

As per them, the CJI had a discussion with the High Commissioner, who assured him that no harm would come to Justice Patel or his family.

The threats stem from a landmark 2024 judgment delivered by Justice Patel regarding the succession and title of the Syedna, the spiritual leader of the million-strong Dawoodi Bohra community.