India, June 16 -- The Maharashtra government on Monday informed the Bombay High Court that two highly qualified police security officers (PSOs) have been deployed for the protection of retired judge Gautam Patel and his family, who have been threatened with death over his landmark 2024 judgement settling a dispute over the spiritual head of the Dawoodi Bohra community.

Public prosecutor Shishir Hiray, appearing for the government, informed a bench of Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad that two police officers would be present with Justice Patel and his wife, based in Mumbai, at all hours. The security plan was being prepared and would be placed on record, Hiray said.

The bench said it would "appreciate if the ...