E Bombay HC Judge Receives Death Threats Over Dawoodi Bohra Verdict; Daughter Attacked In London
E Bombay HC Judge Receives Death Threats Over Dawoodi Bohra Verdict; Daughter Attacked In London Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:53 IST Aditi
E Bombay HC Judge Receives Death Threats Over Dawoodi Bohra Verdict; Daughter Attacked In London Published By, Last Updated: June 09, 2026, 08:53 IST Aditi Patel, who lives in London, received an anonymous letter on June 5 threatening the "cremation" of her family unless Justice Patel publicly retracted his April 2024 judgment. Rapid Read Bombay High Court judge Gautam Patel. Bombay High Court Justice Gautam Patel (retired) and his family have allegedly been facing death threats for nearly 10 months over his 2024 judgment in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute, with the latest threat being sent to his daughter in London. As per rpeorts, Aditi Patel, who lives in London, received an anonymous letter on June 5 threatening the “cremation" of her family unless Justice Patel publicly retracted his April 2024 judgment through a YouTube video.
The letter reportedly contained an SD card and claimed that a gang had been hired to carry out the threats. The latest letter is part of what authorities believe is a sustained campaign of intimidation that began in August 2025. Similar letters were previously sent to Justice Patel’s wife in Mumbai and to Aditi Patel in London. The letters allegedly demanded that the retired judge declare publicly that he had delivered the judgment under pressure. The case took a more serious turn earlier this year when Aditi Patel was allegedly assaulted by a masked man in London on April 22. She reportedly suffered a broken nose in the attack. UK authorities are investigating both the assault and the threatening communications. The West Hertfordshire counter-terrorism unit is reviewing the matter, while Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed that the investigation remains active.
What’s The Case? The threats are linked to Justice Patel’s April 23, 2024 ruling in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute. In that judgment, he dismissed the suit filed by the faction led by Taher Fakhruddin and upheld Mufaddal Saifuddin as the rightful 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. The verdict is currently under challenge before a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court, Livelaw reported. Representatives of the Taher Fakhruddin faction have condemned the threats and violence, saying such acts were intended to malign their side and potentially influence the ongoing appeal proceedings. Expressing concern over the implications for the judiciary, Justice Patel reportedly said that judges are expected to perform their duties without fear or favour, but questioned who would be willing to serve as a judge if judicial decisions resulted in threats and attacks against their families.
The BriefWire