CJI Surya Kant raises threats against ex-judge Gautam Patel with Indian envoy in UK: Report

Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant has raised the issue of threats against former Bombay High Court judge Justice Gautam Patel with India's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, following reports that multiple threats were sent to the retired judge's family in London.

The matter came to light after Justice Patel disclosed that a threat letter had been delivered to his daughter's residence in London. The retired judge has linked the intimidation campaign to a judgment he delivered in 2024 in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute.

According to a Times of India report, CJI Surya Kant discussed the issue with Indian High Commissioner P Kumaran during his ongoing visit to the UK. The Chief Justice said that he was assured that adequate security arrangements had been made by London police to ensure the safety of Justice Patel and his family.

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A PTI report has confirmed that UK police has provided security to Justice Patel following threats to him and his family:

Threats linked to Dawoodi Bohra succession case

Justice Patel has stated that the latest threat was connected to his 2024 judgment concerning the succession and identity of the Syedna, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. The case remains under appeal before the court.

The former judge said that his family has received several anonymous letters over the past 10 months. One of the communications allegedly accused him of delivering the judgment under pressure and demanded that he publicly retract his verdict.

According to Justice Patel, one letter asked him to upload a video on YouTube admitting that he had delivered an incorrect judgment that had caused harm to the community.

He also alleged that those behind the threats were deliberately targeting his daughter in the UK to exploit jurisdictional differences between India and the UK.

Justice Patel said that while no direct attack had been made on him in Mumbai, actions directed at his daughter in London shifted the focus of any investigation to British authorities despite the dispute originating in India.

CJI seeks administrative action

According to the report, the Chief Justice said that the Indian High Commissioner informed him that the threats appeared to be linked to litigation arising from Maharashtra and may have originated in India.

Following the discussion, CJI Surya Kant said that he had contacted the acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court and urged appropriate judicial and administrative action in the matter.

The CJI is expected to return to India on June 12.

Bar association condemns intimidation

Meanwhile, the Bar Association of India has strongly condemned the threats directed at Justice Patel and his family.

According to a News18 report, the association described the incidents as a serious challenge to judicial independence and the rule of law.

According to the report, the association said that judicial decisions must be challenged only through legal processes and not through intimidation. It also urged authorities in both India and the UK to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the safety of the former judge and his family.