Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stepped in over reports that former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel and his family received death threats linked to a widely publicised judicial ruling. The CJI met the Indian High Commissioner in the UK and sought security cover for the retired judge and his family.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has stepped in regarding reports that former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel and his family received death threats, reportedly tied to a widely publicised judicial ruling.
According to sources, the CJI currently on an official visit to the United Kingdom raised the matter with the Indian High Commissioner to the UK, P. Kumaran, and asked for immediate action to address the safety concerns facing the retired judge and his relatives.
The High Commissioner assured the Chief Justice that appropriate security arrangements would be put in place to protect Justice Patel and his family members.
The intervention came soon after Justice Patel said a threatening letter had been sent to the London home of his daughter, as reported by people familiar with the development.
They further said the CJI was told by the envoy that all possible steps would be taken to safeguard the former judge and his family.
The threats are believed to be linked to a major verdict delivered by Justice Patel in 2024, involving a succession and title dispute concerning the Syedna, the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community, which counts about one million followers worldwide.
The matter is currently pending appeal.
Justice Patel has reportedly said his family has been receiving anonymous threatening messages for the past ten months.
One such letter, received earlier this year, allegedly accused him of passing a “fraudulent” judgment under pressure and demanded that he upload a video on YouTube withdrawing his verdict, warning of serious consequences for the community if he failed to comply.
The former judge is reported to have stated that the targeting of his daughter in the UK was intended to take advantage of jurisdictional constraints and increase pressure on his family.