Dawoodi Bohra Succession: Following Father’s Death, Bombay HC Allows Son To Continue His Suit In Claim To Dai Al-Multaq Title

The Bombay High Court has allowed an application filed by Taher Fakhruddin, son of Khuzemabhai, to continue his father’s suit where he had staked claim to the title of Dai Al-Mutlaq (spiritual leader and head) of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

This comes as a significant development following Khuzemabhai’s death in the US in March last year. 

Brief Background

Khuzemabhai claimed to be entitled to succeed the 52nd Dai Al-Mutlaq Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin as the 53^rd Dai Al-Multaq.

He also prayed for orders regarding various estates and properties that vest in the Dai Al-Mutlaq by virtue of that appointment.

While defendant Mufaddal Burhanuddin Saifuddin claims to have been validly appointed by the 52nd Dai as his successor. He assumed office after the 52nd Dai Al-Multaq died on January 17, 2014.

Khuzemabhai challenged the defendant’s claim to that office in this suit.

Khuzemabhai’s cross examination began in April 2015, just over a year after the suit was filed.

The matter was adjourned on mutual consent of both parties and before the next hearing, Khuzemabhai died in America on March 30, 2016.

Now Khuzemabhai’s eldest son, Taher Fakhruddin seeks to continue his father’s suit, saying that his father “properly appointed him as the 54th Dai Al-Mutlaq”.

Justice Patel observed: “The question before me today in this Chamber Summons is whether the suit Khuzemabhai filed was for a declaration of a personal status and rights entirely personal to him; if so, whether this suit abated on his death; if not, whether Taher Fakhruddin can continue the suit in his own name, amending it for a suitable declaration in his own favour. Clearly, Taher Fakhruddin would have to prove the validity of his father’s appointment as the 53rd Dai, and then his own as the 54th.” 

Arguments and Court’s decision

While senior counsel Janak Dwarkadas appeared for the defendant in the matter, senior counsel Ravi Kadam appeared for applicant Taher.

Janak Dwarkadas argued that while it is open to Taher Fakhruddin to file his own suit, “he cannot possibly continue his father’s as the right to sue does not survive to him”.

Ravi Kadam argued that declaration sought by his client was of a status conferred on Khuzemabhai in accordance with the law that governs the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Justice Patel stated in the order: “In this particular case, I do not see why the Chamber Summons ought not to be allowed. After all, the right sought by the original Plaintiff to hold a particular office was one that he himself, by virtue of his claim, could confer on another. If his own right failed, then that of the Applicant would consequently fail. If, on the other hand, the Plaintiff obtained a decree in terms that he first sought, then surely the Applicant would be entitled to a resultant decree in similar terms in his own favour. To view it from another perspective, even if Khuzemabhai had not filed the Suit, the present Applicant could well have brought the same Suit seeking first the same declaration of his late father being the properly appointed 53^rd Dai and, in the next prayer, a similar declaration in his own favour as the 54th Dai.”

Following this, the court allowed the corresponding amendment to the suit and rejected Dwarkadas’ request for a stay on this order. The next date of hearing is on May 2.

Read the Judgment here.