The Bombay High Court has dismissed the Dawoodi Bohra succession suit originally filed by late Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin and followed up by his son Syedna Taher Fakhruddin. The court has concluded that Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin has proved that he was validly appointed by the 52nd Dai Al-Mutlaq (spiritual leader and head of the community) as his successor.
Qutbuddin had filed the suit in March 2014, claiming that he was appointed as the 53rd Dai by the 52nd Dai and his half-brother, Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, in December 1965. However, Saifuddin, the son of the 52nd Dai, had announced himself to be the 53rd Dai after his father’s demise in January 2014.
Qutbuddin sought a declaration that he was the rightful Dai and entitled to administer the community’s properties, including Saify Mahal. He also sought to restrain Saifuddin from obstructing his entry into community properties.
Saifuddin, on the other hand, claimed that he was appointed as the successor in a London hospital in 2011 and had his succession publicly announced in Mumbai a fortnight later.
After Qutbuddin passed away in 2016, his son Syedna Taher Fakhruddin continued the suit, claiming that he was conferred ‘nass’ by his father before his demise.
Both sides presented evidence and arguments at the trial, which concluded on May 4, 2023. The court has now ruled in favor of Saifuddin, dismissing the suit filed by Qutbuddin and his son.
