Threatened to kill former Bombay HC judge along with his family, asked to apologize for giving verdict in this case

The Bombay Bar Association on Monday passed a resolution in which it condemned the threats being received by Gautam Patel, a retired judge of the Bombay High Court, and his family. These threats are related to a 2024 case related to the succession dispute of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Justice Patel had given the verdict in this case. The association has demanded strict action against the culprits.

Two years ago, i.e. in April 2024, Justice Patel had upheld the appointment of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the 53rd Dai Al Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community and said that his appointment was valid. People close to Justice Patel and his family say that he has been receiving threats for the last 10 months. On June 5, his daughter living in London had received a threat.

The threatening party demands that Justice Patel release a video on YouTube, in which he says that he had given his verdict in the Syedna case under pressure and coercion. Justice Patel has refused to comment on the police investigation. However, the Bar Association is against the threat and has demanded strict action against the culprits. The association has shown solidarity towards Justice Patel and his family. He has appealed to the police to investigate the matter closely and take strict action against those responsible.

What is said in the letters?

In a letter sent last year, the former justice was threatened and it was said that we have employed a very capable and dangerous syndicate. He asked Justice Patel to record and upload a video to withdraw his decision. In a letter sent this month it was said that you were warned several times that money had been given to the gang. The next step is the last rites of you and your family. There has been a demand in the letters that Justice Patel should apologize for giving the verdict.

In this case, Justice Patel told India Today that such threats can affect the justice system. After retirement, judges will not be able to work independently due to fear of retaliation. A judge adjudicates hundreds of cases in his career and if he is threatened even after retirement, he cannot be expected to perform his duties.

Now know what is the whole matter

In 2024, the Bombay High Court had considered Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the real and legitimate 53rd leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. After the death of the 52nd leader in 2014, his brother Qutubuddin declared himself the next leader and filed a case in the court. His son Tahir Fakhruddin took the case forward. Justice Patel said that Tahir Fakhruddin had no evidence that his father was chosen as the next successor. Tahir Fakhruddin has appealed against this decision in a larger bench of the High Court, where the case is pending.