CJI Surya Kant Takes Up Threats To E Judge Gautam Patel With Indian Envoy In UK, Seeks Protection
Surya Kant Takes Up Threats To E Judge Gautam Patel With Indian Envoy In UK, Seeks Protection Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 08:28
Surya Kant Takes Up Threats To E Judge Gautam Patel With Indian Envoy In UK, Seeks Protection Published By, Last Updated: June 10, 2026, 08:28 IST Surya Kant said UK authorities have assured security for retired judge Gautam Patel and his family after threats linked to the Dawoodi Bohra succession case. A file photo of Chief Justice of India () Surya Kant (PTI) Chief Justice of India () Surya Kant has intervened in the matter of alleged threats and intimidation faced by former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel, raising the issue with India’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom during his ongoing visit there, according to a report by The Times of India. The development comes after Justice Patel publicly disclosed that a threatening letter had been delivered to his daughter’s residence in London, allegedly in connection with a judgment he delivered in 2024 concerning the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute. The report quoted Surya Kant as saying that he had discussed the matter with Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran and received assurances regarding the safety of Justice Patel and his family. “I had a discussion with the high commissioner, who assured that no harm would come to him or his family and that the London police have made adequate security arrangements," the told the newspaper.
According to Justice Patel, the latest threat letter was linked to a judgment he delivered last year in a case involving the succession and identity of the Syedna, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. The matter is currently under appeal. Justice Patel said his family has received several anonymous letters over the last 10 months. One communication received earlier this year allegedly accused him of delivering his judgment fraudulently and under pressure. The letter, according to Justice Patel, demanded that he upload a video on YouTube stating that he had “delivered an incorrect verdict which has caused irreparable harm to the faith and future of a respected community of a million plus members". The retired judge also spoke about what he described as a deliberate attempt to exploit jurisdictional boundaries by targeting his daughter in the United Kingdom. “This is a clever attempt to leverage the jurisdictional gap between Mumbai and London. There has been no attack on me in Mumbai, for that would result in immediate local action. Instead, the attack is directed against my daughter, a British citizen, on British soil. The connection to me and the judgment remains, but the actual attack, and therefore actual investigation, gets localised to the UK," Justice Patel said. The report mentioned that the Indian High Commissioner informed the that the threat appeared to have originated in India, as the intimidation was connected to litigation arising out of Maharashtra.
Following the discussion, Surya Kant said he had reached out to the acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court regarding the matter. “I have sent a message to the acting chief justice of Bombay HC to take appropriate steps on the judicial and administrative side as the litigation pertained to local parties," he told the newspaper. The is expected to return to India on June 12. BAR ASSOCIATION CONDEMNS INTIMIDATION CAMPAIGN Meanwhile, the Bar Association of India has strongly condemned the alleged threats and acts of intimidation directed at Justice Patel and his family. According to news agency PTI, the association described the incidents as a serious attack on judicial independence and the rule of law. It referred to reports of anonymous threats, demands that the former judge publicly retract his verdict, an alleged break-in at a family residence, an assault on his daughter in London and a fresh written threat received on June 5. “The demand that a judge disown a verdict by video, under coercion, is an attempt to substitute intimidation for adjudication," the association said in a statement. The body noted that judicial decisions can only be challenged through established legal remedies and pointed out that Justice Patel’s 2024 ruling is already under challenge before a division bench of the Bombay High Court.
It also urged authorities in India and the UK to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of the former judge’s family. In April 2024, Justice Patel upheld Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin’s position as the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra community, holding that his appointment was valid. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has more than 10 years of experience in national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: June 10, 2026, 08:28 IST News india Surya Kant Takes Up Threats To E Judge Gautam Patel With Indian Envoy In UK, Seeks Protection Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...
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