Bombay High Court Directs State To Ensure Protection For Justice Gautam Patel Facing Threats Over Dawoodi Bohra Succession Verdict

The Bombay High Court on Monday (June 15) directed the Maharashtra Government to ensure protection is granted to former high court judge Justice Gautam Patel, who has been facing threats over a 2024 judgment he delivered with regards to the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community. 

Reportedly, Justice Patel and his family have been facing threats for the last 10 months now over a judgment he delivered on April 23, 2024, wherein the judge held that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin was the rightful successor and 53rd Dai al-Multaq, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

A bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad was hearing a PIL filed by Bombay Bar Association (BBA), Advocates Association of Western India (AAWI) and the Bombay Incorporated Law Society (BILS), the three bar associations of the High Court. 

During the hearing Chief Public Prosecutor Shishir Hiray stated that two PSOs (Personal Security Officer) are deployed at the judge's residence.

The Acting Chief Justice meanwhile said, "Consider the fact that we are all humans. Not every time we will be inside the house. What if his lordship is at home and his family member goes out for some work? You need to ensure safety both indoors and outdoors too". 

The court further orally said, "He is a retired High Court judge, who did his work with all diligence... You need to protect him. His family members are provided protection at the United Kingdom after CJI Surya Kant intervened in the issue. But here at Mumbai, you need to ensure the judge's protection. It's time to show how committed you are"

The Acting Chief Justice further said, "We are grateful that we are led by CJI Kant. He was in the United Kingdom for some work but he took out some time, met the Indian High Commissioner there and then directed security cover for the judge's family". 

Meanwhile Senior Advocate Nitin Thakkar for the Bar Bodies urged the court to pass an order directing protection and thorough probe into the matter.

Thakkar said that a strong message needs to be sent out. "It's not just a threat to Justice Patel but to the entire judiciary. A message must be sent that the judiciary is not going to take such threats lightly," he added. 

The bench thereafter passed the order directing the State to provide Justice Patel protection in Mumbai. The court also ordered Union of India to spell out steps taken to provide protection to Justice Patel's daughter, who was attacked in London. 

As per reports, the judge's wife received threat letters in Mumbai while his daughter received similar threat letters in London, where she lives, threatening the family of dire consequences if Justice Patel failed to "recant" his judgment via a YouTube video. The judge's daughter - Aditi Patel was also attacked by a masked man on the streets of London.

The family was thereafter provided with security and protection by the Hertfordshire Constabulary.

Reliable sources from the Bombay High Court Administration have confirmed that the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, while on his official visit to the United Kingdom (UK), met Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran in London, and asked him to ensure the safety of Justice Patel's daughter and her family, who reside in London.