Statement to Press following Bombay High Court Single-Bench Judgement
25 April 2024
Press Release PDF | Hindi | Marathi
25th April, 2024
His Holiness Syedna Taher Fakhruddin Saheb TUS prays in gratitude to the Almighty for granting him the opportunity to fight for truth and principle for the Community.
In light of the unfavourable judgement of single-judge of the High Court of Bombay in the Dawoodi Bohra leadership succession suit, Syedna Fakhruddin Saheb vows to continue the fight and appeal this judgement, to the full extent of the legal process. The Syedna believes in this fight as this is a fight not for anything else but to restore respect and trust in and of the Community.
The judgment was made available yesterday evening. Upon initial review, it appears to have:
- Failed to address critical evidence
- Attributed positions and statements to the Plaintiff which he never took
- Applied different standards to the evidence put forward by the Plaintiff and Defendant
- Contradicted itself in places
Syedna Fakhruddin Saheb is confident that this judgement will be overturned in appeal and by the Grace of Almighty God, truth and justice will prevail.
Syedna Fakhruddin Saheb said, “for truth, for justice, and for the future of the Dawoodi Bohra community, I am duty bound to continue this fight.”
Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin Saheb, who filed the suit in 2014, was the successor and the Mazoon, second in command of 52nd Syedna, Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin Saheb for 50 years. He gave his evidence in the suit, faced around 500 questions in cross examination which he answered truthfully, and established his appointment by Syedna Burhanuddin Saheb. The Defendant Mufaddal Saifuddin failed to personally appear to give evidence and face cross examination, including questions that would have been asked regarding his acceptance by words and actions of Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin Saheb as the successor of the 52nd Syedna. The Plaintiffs testified to these words and actions of Mufaddal Saifuddin under oath, including by producing handwritten letters of the Defendant and video recordings showing the Defendant’s words and actions.
