After Threats, Bombay Bar Seeks MEA Intervention For Justice Gautam Patel's Family In UK

The Bombay Bar Association (BBA) on Monday expressed serious concern over alleged threats and attacks targeting retired Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam S Patel and his family in the United Kingdom.

The association passed a resolution condemning the incidents and urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to immediately take up the matter with British authorities to ensure the safety of Justice Patel’s family in England, reports Indian Express.

The BBA said such incidents were not merely personal attacks but posed a challenge to judicial independence and the rule of law.

BBA calls for immediate action

In its resolution, the association strongly condemned any attempt to threaten, intimidate, harass, assault or target a judge or members of a judge’s family because of judicial

decisions.

The resolution noted reports that a member of Justice Patel’s family had suffered physical injuries during one of the incidents, making the matter especially serious.

The BBA stated that violence or threats against judges and their families strike at the heart of judicial independence and amount to an attack on the constitutional principle that disputes should be resolved by courts free from fear, favour, affection or ill-will.

The association also sought a prompt, thorough and effective investigation into the incidents. It emphasised that in a constitutional democracy governed by the rule of law, judicial decisions may be questioned, criticised or challenged only through lawful means.

The resolution added that threats, intimidation, coercion or violence against judges or their families have no place in a civilised society and cannot be accepted.

Dispute linked to Dawoodi Bohra verdict

The controversy is linked to a judgment delivered by Justice Patel on April 23, 2024, two days before his retirement from the Bombay High Court.

In the ruling, Justice Patel dismissed a suit filed by Syedna Taher Fakhruddin challenging the position of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

While delivering the verdict, Justice Patel said he had deliberately kept the judgment as neutral as possible considering the personalities involved. He acknowledged that emotions would run high and stressed that the dispute had been decided on the basis of proof rather than faith.

The Dawoodi Bohra community is a Shia Muslim denomination with followers in India and several countries abroad. Its highest religious authority is known as the Dai-al-Mutlaq.

Threat letters and incidents in London

According to reports, Justice Patel’s daughter received an anonymous threat letter earlier this month. In April, she was allegedly assaulted in London by a masked individual and suffered injuries.

Justice Patel and his daughter have also referred to an attempted home invasion at their residence in a London suburb in August 2025. They further cited another threatening letter received in September. The letter reportedly described the judge’s verdict in the Dawoodi Bohra leadership dispute as “false” and “corrupt”.

Following these developments, Justice Patel informed the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and the Chief Justice of India about the incidents.

Judicial independence in focus

The BBA’s intervention has placed renewed attention on the safety of judges and their families after retirement.

The association stressed that disagreements with court rulings must be addressed only through lawful and constitutional mechanisms. It warned that any attempt to influence or intimidate judges through threats or violence undermines the judiciary as an institution and weakens public faith in the rule of law.

By seeking intervention from the MEA and action from British authorities, the BBA has called for urgent steps to ensure the safety of Justice Patel’s family and a thorough investigation into the reported incidents.