TOI Correspondent from London: The UK police are providing security to former Bombay high court judge Gautam Patel and his family in London after they have faced threats and attacks.
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The daughter of Patel, a British citizen, received a death threat letter at her London home on June 5, just weeks after a physical assault. On Monday Patel said in London that his daughter had also been attacked near her home while dropping her children off at school by a masked hooded man who punched her repeatedly in the face.
The death threat was in response to a judgment passed by him in April 2024, Patel said. The case, which is pending appeal, sought to establish the succession and name of the Syedna, spiritual leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community. In that judgment Justice Patel upheld the claim of Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin as the 53rd Dai and incumbent leader of the Dawoodi Bohra community.
Over the past 10 months, the Patel family have received several anonymous threat letters, including one which accused Patel of having delivered his judgment “fraudulently, under pressure”.
A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Constabulary said: “Detectives from Hertfordshire Constabulary's criminal investigation department are currently investigating a series of linked incidents relating to a family living in South Hertfordshire. These include an attempted burglary and threatening communication reported in Aug 2025, an assault reported in April 2026 and further threatening communication reported in June 2026.”
“As part of the investigation, safeguarding measures have been provided to the family. As enquiries remain ongoing, we are unable to provide any more detailed information regarding the investigation at this time,” the spokesperson said.
