Three leading bar associations in Mumbai have approached the Bombay High Court through a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking enhanced security for former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel and his family, along with a court-monitored investigation into a series of threats and attacks allegedly linked to his 2024 judgment in the long-running Dawoodi Bohra community leadership dispute.
The PIL has been jointly filed by the Bombay Bar Association, the Advocates Association of Western India and the Bombay Incorporated Law Society. The matter was mentioned for urgent listing before the Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad, which indicated that the petition would be listed for hearing in due course.
The plea contended that Justice Patel and his family have allegedly been subjected to sustained intimidation following his April 2024 verdict recognising Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the lawful 53rd leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community after a nine-year trial. The judgment, which rejected the rival claim advanced by Taher Fakhruddin, is presently under challenge before a Division Bench of the High Court.
The PIL relied on media reports stating that Justice Patel received threatening communications demanding that he publicly retract the judgment through a YouTube video and circulate such a statement to legal institutions and media organisations. The petition further stated that his daughter, who resides in the United Kingdom, was allegedly confronted and assaulted by an unidentified masked individual in London, resulting in a fractured nose.
Describing the incidents as a direct attack on judicial independence and the free discharge of judicial functions, the bar bodies argued that failure to respond effectively would undermine the dignity and authority of constitutional courts and create fear among judicial officers. The petition contended that the threats and acts of violence demonstrate disregard for the rule of law and appear to exploit the jurisdictional divide between India and the United Kingdom.
The PIL noted that although law enforcement authorities in both countries were investigating the matter, there had been no visible breakthrough so far. It sought the constitution of a court-monitored Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge.
It also requested directions for a comprehensive investigation by an appropriate agency, prosecution of all persons responsible in India and abroad, intervention by the Ministry of External Affairs to coordinate with British authorities, and adequate security arrangements for Justice Patel and his family within India.
Meanwhile, authorities in the United Kingdom have confirmed that security measures have already been extended to members of Justice Patel’s family. In a statement, the Hertfordshire Constabulary said that detectives from its Criminal Investigation Department are probing a series of connected incidents involving the family. These reportedly include an attempted burglary and threatening communication in August 2025, an assault in April 2026, and further threatening communications in June 2026.
The British police stated that safeguard measures have been put in place for the family while investigations continue. However, it declined to disclose further details due to the ongoing nature of the inquiry.
The incidents have generated considerable concern within the legal fraternity. The Supreme Court expressed serious concern over the situation on Tuesday, noting that such incidents strike at the administration of justice and could deter judges from discharging their duties fearlessly. The Bench of Justice Satish Chandra Sharma and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva further observed that if judges were subjected to such intimidation for performing their duties, it would have serious consequences for the justice delivery system.
Earlier this month, the Bombay Bar Association passed a resolution condemning the threats and attacks, characterising them as an assault on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law. The association also called for a prompt and effective investigation and urged the Ministry of External Affairs to engage with the UK authorities to ensure the safety and security of Justice Patel’s family.
The post Mumbai bar bodies move Bombay High Court over threats to former judge Justice Gautam Patel; UK provides security to family appeared first on India Legal.