Recently, retired Bombay High Court judge Justice G.S. Patel and his family have allegedly faced threats and acts of violence in India and the United Kingdom for nearly ten months over his 2024 judgment in the long-running Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The latest incident reportedly occurred on June 5, when Justice Patel's daughter, Aditi Patel, who lives in the UK, received an anonymous letter threatening the "cremation" of her family unless the retired judge publicly withdrew his April 23, 2024 judgment through a YouTube video. The letter allegedly included an SD card and claimed that a gang had been hired to carry out the threats.

As per the report, the campaign of intimidation began in August 2025.

Similar letters were allegedly sent to Justice Patel's wife in Mumbai and his daughter in London, demanding that he record a video stating that he had been forced to deliver the judgment.

The report further states that Aditi Patel was attacked in London on April 22 this year by a masked assailant, suffering a broken nose. British authorities are investigating both the assault and the threatening communications. The West Hertfordshire counter-terrorism unit is reportedly examining the matter, while Hertfordshire Constabulary has confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.

Justice Patel told the newspaper that he had informed the Acting Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, the Indian High Commissioner in London, and Chief Justice of India Surya Kant about the threats. He reportedly pointed out that a High Court judgment cannot be withdrawn through a YouTube video and that the proper course for challenging a judicial decision is through an appeal.

The threats are said to be linked to Justice Patel's April 2024 judgment in the Dawoodi Bohra succession dispute, in which he dismissed the suit filed by the faction led by Taher Fakhruddin and recognised Mufaddal Saifuddin as the rightful 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, the spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. The judgment is currently under challenge before a Division Bench of the Bombay High Court.

According to the report, representatives of Taher Fakhruddin have condemned the threats and violence, maintaining that such actions were intended to discredit their faction and influence the ongoing appeal proceedings.

Expressing concern over the broader implications of the incident, Justice Patel reportedly questioned how judicial independence could be preserved if judges and their families were subjected to threats and intimidation for decisions rendered in the course of their duties. He emphasised that judges are expected to decide cases without fear or favour and warned of the chilling effect such incidents could have on those willing to serve on the Bench