Retd Bombay High Court Judge, His Family Face Threat over 2024 Dawoodi Bohra Verdict; Daughter Attacked in London
The bar said the attacks on retired Justice Gautam Patel and his family threaten judicial independence and followed his 2024 Dawoodi Bohra ruling.
- On Monday, the Bombay Bar Association expressed grave concern over a sustained campaign of threats and violence against retired Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel and his family, intensified by a recent anonymous letter.
- Threats began in August 2025, allegedly linked to Patel's 2024 verdict in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute, where he ruled Mufaddal Saifuddin the community's rightful leader after dismissing a challenge from Taher Fakhruddin.
- Intimidation tactics included an attempted home invasion in London and an April 22 attack on Aditi Patel, who suffered a 'fractured nose,' while recent letters claimed a 'gang' was paid to target the family.
- Urging the Ministry of External Affairs to engage British authorities, the BBA condemned the violence as a 'blatant assault on the rule of law,' warning such acts strike at the heart of judicial independence.
- Patel, who rejected demands to recant his judgment via YouTube, questioned what such attacks meant for the judiciary, noting perpetrators leverage the 'jurisdictional divide' between India and the United Kingdom to evade consequences.
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13 Articles
Retired Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel and his family have been receiving repeated threatening letters regarding the 2024 Bohra community inheritance decision. The letters allege the decision was made under duress and demand an apology. On June 5, his daughter in London also received a threat. The London police are investigating the matter, and the Mumbai Bar Association has strongly condemned it.
Ex-Bombay High Court judge receives threatening letters over Dawoodi Bohra verdict
In April 2024, Justice Gautam Patel had upheld the position of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq (leader) of the Dawoodi Bohra community, while noting that he had a valid appointment.
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel claims threats, attack on family members over 2024 Dawoodi Bohra judgment
Former Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel and his family have been facing threats for the last 10 months, with his daughter being attacked recently, allegedly over his 2024 judgment in the Dawoodi Bohra succession case.
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