Syedna's challenger answers 1,503 questions over naas

The high court on Tuesday concluded the cross examination of Taher Fakhruddin, son of deceased challenger Khuzaima Qutbuddin to the ongoing succession battle in the Dawoodi Bohra community, wherein he has categorically stated that his father and him "did not accept that a valid naas (succession) was conferred on the defendant, Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin.

The cross examination by senior advocate Iqbal Chagla has been ongoing for months, wherein a total of 1,503 questions were asked to prove that the defendant was not conferred with a valid naas by the late 52nd Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin, as it was initially promised to his father (Khuzaima) instead. Taher also rejected a suggestion by Chagla that a valid naas once conferred, can later be retracted, revoked and superseded.

After Khuzaima's passed away, pending the trial in the declaratory suit, Taher Fakhruddin has claimed that he was conferred naas by his father, thereby making him the 54th Syedna. He also took over the legal battle in his father's stead, with an additional prayer that his father be declared the 53rd Syedna and him as the 54th syedna of the Bohra community.

Khuzaima had claimed that the 52nd Syedna, Mohammed Burhanuddin had conferred naas on him but told him to keep it secret until his death. However, the incumbent Syedna has claimed that he was conferred with the naas by Burhanuddin in London. Qutbuddin had publicly challenged the succession first after the death of Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin on January 17, 2014.

Earlier, during the examination in chief, conducted by his counsel Anand Desai, Fakhruddin explained that there is no one prescribed method to confer naas. It can be conferred in a variety of ways, but there must be a clear communication.

BOHRI BATTLE

The cross examination of succession claimant Taher Fakhruddin has been ongoing for months, wherein a total of 1,503 questions were asked to prove that the defendant was not conferred with a valid naas.