Mumbai, April 23 (Reporter)The Bombay High Court on Tuesday dismissed a civil suit challenging Syedna Muffadal Saifuddin's position as the 53rd Dai-al-Mutlaq, or spiritual head, of the Dawoodi Bohra community. Syedna Mohammad Burhanuddin, the 52nd Dia al Mutlaq, passed away in 2014, and his son, Mufaddal Saifuddin, succeeded him. The order was passed after hearing at length the plea moved by late Syedna’s half-brother, Khuzaima Qutbuddin, who challenged the succession. He sought a declaration that he was the leader of the community based on a secret nass (conferment of succession) by the deceased leader on December 10, 1965. After Qutbuddin died in 2016 in the USA, his son, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin, became the plaintiff and sought that he be declared the leader. Fakhruddin has claimed his father conferred the nass upon him, and thus he should be declared the Dai. "I have dismissed the suit,” said Justice Gautam Patel in his judgement. After pronouncing the judgement, the court expressed its apprehension and requested the counsel appearing for the plaintiff to see that the feelings were contained. “There is apprehension on my part. I don't want any upheavals. I have kept the judgement neutral for the personalities involved. I have only decided on the issue of proof and not faith,” Justice Patel said. The Dawoodi Bohras are a religious denomination among Shia Muslims. Traditionally a community of traders and entrepreneurs, it has over 5 lakh members in India and over 10 lakh members across the world. The top religious leader of the community is known as the Dai-al-Mutlaq. As per faith and Dawoodi Bohra doctrine, a successor is appointed through “divine inspiration." A “mass” (conferment of succession) can be conferred upon any deserving member of the community and not necessarily a family member of current Dai, although the latter is often the practice...////...