Recently, retired Bombay High Court judge Justice G.S. Patel disclosed that his family has been facing threats allegedly linked to his 2024 judgment in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute. The matter gained further seriousness, after his daughter, who lives in the United Kingdom, was reportedly assaulted and later received a fresh death threat. With authorities in both India and the UK now examining the incidents, the case has brought renewed attention to concerns over the safety and security of judges and their families, even after retirement.
The controversy stems from a landmark judgment in a long-running dispute over the spiritual leadership of the Dawoodi Bohra community. After the passing of the community's 52nd spiritual leader in 2014, competing claims emerged over succession to the position of Dai al-Mutlaq. The dispute eventually reached the Bombay High Court, where rival factions sought recognition of their respective claims. In April 2024, the Court rejected the challenge to the succession and affirmed the claimant who had assumed leadership following the predecessor's death as the lawful 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq.
According to Justice Patel, threatening letters began reaching members of his family months after the judgment. The communications allegedly demanded that he publicly retract his findings and release a video claiming that the verdict had been improperly influenced. Similar messages were reportedly sent to his daughter in London. The threats escalated beyond written communications when his daughter was allegedly attacked by an unidentified masked individual earlier this year while carrying out routine family responsibilities. More recently, another threatening letter allegedly warned of further violence if the retired judge failed to comply with the demands. The matter has since attracted the attention of police authorities in both jurisdictions, with investigations continuing into the origin of the threats and the assault.
The controversy unfolds against the backdrop of the ongoing appeal against Justice Patel’s judgment, which remains pending before a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court. Representatives of the rival faction have publicly condemned the threats and denied any involvement, asserting that the acts appear intended to influence public perception and interfere with the appellate process.
Justice Patel has strongly defended the sanctity of the judicial process, maintaining that disagreements with a court decision must be addressed through legal remedies rather than intimidation. Rejecting demands that he disown his own judgment, he pointed out that a judicial verdict cannot be nullified through public statements or social media content. Emphasising the proper course available to dissatisfied litigants, he stated, “The appeal mechanism, which the Qutbi faction is already actively using, is the only correct legal route to challenge a judgment.”
The retired judge further expressed concern that the threats appeared designed not merely to challenge the outcome of the case but to undermine confidence in the judicial system itself. He warned that attempts to pressure judges through threats against family members strike at the very foundation of independent adjudication. Justice Patel has informed the Chief Justice of India, senior judicial authorities, and diplomatic officials of the developments. Investigative agencies in India and the United Kingdom are examining the allegations, while law enforcement authorities have treated the matter as an ongoing investigation.
Disclaimer: This news/ article includes information received via a syndicated news feed. The original rights remain with the respective publisher.
Picture Source :