Bombay High Court Directs Confidentiality of Probe Reports
The Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad issued directions on Thursday, July 2, 2026, requiring the State Government to ensure that the two reports submitted by the Mumbai Police and the Ministry of External Affairs concerning the threats and attacks on Justice Gautam Patel remain confidential and are not made public.
The Court observed that the live media coverage of the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks had provided assailants with real‑time details of the security response, thereby aiding the perpetrators. Acting Chief Justice Ghuge reminded the parties that a similar scenario must be avoided in the present case, stating that the investigators’ lines of inquiry should not be disclosed to those who may pose a threat to the judge and his family.
The Bench took on record the report filed by Advocate General Milind Sathe on behalf of the Maharashtra Government and the oral submission of Additional Solicitor General Anil Singh representing the Ministry of External Affairs. Both officials affirmed that steps had been taken to secure Justice Patel and his family members, who are presently residing in the United Kingdom.
Additional Solicitor General Singh informed the Court that the Ministry, in coordination with the High Commission in London and the Mumbai Police, had placed the two reports in separate sealed envelopes to prevent any inadvertent disclosure. He added that the investigation was progressing satisfactorily and that the Court should adjourn the matter to allow further inquiry.
Consequently, the Court ordered that the present proceedings be adjourned to August 7, 2026 at 3:00 p.m., pending receipt of any additional material from the investigating agencies. The Bench emphasized that the confidentiality directive was not a comment on the merits of the underlying threats but a precautionary measure to protect the integrity of the probe and the safety of those involved.
The matter originated from a public interest litigation filed by the Bombay Bar Association, the Association of Advocates of Western India, and the Bombay Incorporated Law Society. The petitioners highlighted that Justice Patel’s wife had received threatening letters in Mumbai while his daughter, Aditi Patel, had been sent similar communications in London. Furthermore, the daughter was allegedly assaulted by a masked individual on a London street, after which the Hertfordshire Constabulary provided protective security to the family.
The Court noted that the Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, had during an official visit to the United Kingdom met the Indian High Commissioner, P. Kumaran, and requested him to ensure the safety of Justice Patel’s family while they remained abroad.
By directing that the probe reports be kept confidential and by sealing the documents, the Bench sought to balance the need for transparency in judicial proceedings with the imperative to safeguard the investigation and the individuals at risk. The order remains operative until the next date of hearing, when the Court will reassess the status of the investigation and any further steps required for the protection of Justice Patel and his family.