Retired Justice Gautam Patel faces death threats over Dawoodi Bohra succession verdict
Retired Bombay High Court judge Gautam Shirish Patel is reportedly facing death threats linked to his landmark 2024 judgment in the long-running Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute.
According to reports, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has taken up the matter with Indian authorities in the United Kingdom after Justice Patel and his family allegedly received threats over the verdict delivered in April 2024.
Sources said adequate security arrangements have been put in place for the retired judge and his family members, who are currently residing in the UK.
Threats Allegedly Linked to Dawoodi Bohra Succession Case
The threats are said to be connected to Justice Patel’s ruling that upheld the claim of Mufaddal Saifuddin as the rightful Dai-al-Mutlaq, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Justice Patel and his family have reportedly alleged multiple intimidation attempts over the past several months, including threatening letters and an alleged attempted intrusion at their residence in the United Kingdom.
According to reports, the communications referenced the Dawoodi Bohra succession case and demanded that the retired judge publicly retract his verdict and leave India permanently. The matter was reported to local law enforcement authorities.
Background of the Dawoodi Bohra Succession Dispute
The succession dispute began after the death of Mohammad Burhanuddin in 2014.
The claim of Mufaddal Saifuddin was challenged by Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who argued that he had been designated successor through the religious practice known as "nass". After Qutbuddin's death in 2016, the legal challenge was continued by his son, Taher Fakhruddin.
In a detailed judgment delivered on April 23, 2024, Justice Patel upheld Saifuddin’s claim, bringing an end to one of the most significant religious succession disputes in Indian legal history.
Who Is Justice Gautam Patel?
Born in Mumbai in 1962, Justice Gautam Patel is widely regarded as one of the most respected jurists to have served on the Bombay High Court.
A graduate of St. Xavier’s College and Government Law College, Mumbai, he began his legal career in 1987 and built a distinguished reputation in commercial, constitutional, environmental and civil law.
Throughout his career, he handled several important environmental and public interest matters involving urban planning, forest conservation, mangrove protection, and ecological preservation.
Justice Patel also served as an educator, legal writer, and office-bearer of the Bombay Bar Association before his elevation to the judiciary.
The reported threats have raised concerns within legal circles, highlighting the challenges faced by judges and former judges in the aftermath of high-profile and sensitive judicial decisions.
