The Dawoodi Bohra community saw a major upheaval in 2014 post the demise of their ‘Syedna’ (community leader) Mohammad Burhanuddin, the 52nd leader.
After his demise, his son, Mufaddal Saifuddin, took over as the 53rd leader. This was disputed by Khuzaima Qutbuddin, half brother of the deceased Syedna.
He claimed he was the ‘Dai-al-Mutlaq’ (leader of the community) based on a secret ‘nass’ (conferment of succession) conferred by the late 52nd leader.
When the dispute could not be resolved, Qutbuddin, the original plaintiff, filed a suit in the High Court on March 29, 2014 seeking the court to declare him as the rightful 53rd Dai.
In 2016, while evidence was still being recorded, the original plaintiff passed away, and his son, Taher Fakhruddin, replaced his father, as the plaintiff.
After conducting a trial, which went on for 9 years and 8 days, single-judge Justice GS Patel reserved the suit for order on April 5, 2023.
Source: Barandbench
