The Chandabhoy Galla Case set a significant precedent on the issue of a human's claim to being infallible, immaculate, executor of God's will, and trusteeship of God's funds. The case was filed in 1917, during the British rule of India, by Sir Thomas Strangman, the Advocate General of Bombay, at the behest of Adamjee Peerbhoy's family against the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra, Taher Saifuddin. In 1921, Saifuddin won the case on basis of the belief that Imam, as representative of the Prophet and through him the representative of God, having withdrawn from the world, must entrust someone to represent them-- to be a deity on earth-- the Dai al-Mutlaq (and hence Saifuddin), in accordance with the Tayyibi religious belief, is that sole representative. The trusteeship of the money donated via a Galla () kept near the tomb of Chandabhoy in Bombay, who was revered as a miraculous Saint, was challenged on the plea of improper chain of succession from 47th Dai al-Mutlaq, Abdul Qadir Najmuddin's appointment. Issues pertaining to the office of Dai al-Mutlaq raised during the case, however; were of greater importance than the trusteeship of the Galla itself. Sir Thomas Strangman observes in his book Indian Courts and Characters that the case is remarkable not only for its length, but for the amazing claims put forward on behalf of the 'Mullaji' (Taher Saifuddin), the like of which have never been put forward in any Court of Law.  Upon conclusion of the case, Strangman noted: "Looking back on the proceedings, I think what impressed me the most, even more than the extravagance of the claims, was the personality of the Mullaji, a frail looking figure possessed nevertheless of an iron will, great determination, and organising capacity. At the time he assumed office the administration must have been extremely slack. Yet he managed in a very few years not only to pull the administration together but to obtain a hold upon his followers greater perhaps than that of any of his predecessors." Transcript of testimony by the defendant in the Chandabhoy Galla Case
The Chandabhoy Galla Case set a significant precedent on the issue of a human's claim to being infallible, immaculate, executor of God's will, and trusteeship of God's funds. The case was filed in 1917, during the British rule of India, by Sir Thomas Strangman, the Advocate General of Bombay, at the behest of Adamjee Peerbhoy's family against the 51st Dai al-Mutlaq of the Dawoodi Bohra, Taher Saifuddin. In 1921, Saifuddin won the case on basis of the belief that Imam, as representative of the Prophet and through him the representative of God, having withdrawn from the world, must entrust someone to represent them-- to be a deity on earth-- the Dai al-Mutlaq (and hence Saifuddin), in accordance with the Tayyibi religious belief, is that sole representative. The trusteeship of the money donated via a Galla () kept near the tomb of Chandabhoy in Bombay, who was revered as a miraculous Saint, was challenged on the plea of improper chain of succession from 47th Dai al-Mutlaq, Abdul Qadir Najmuddin's appointment. Issues pertaining to the office of Dai al-Mutlaq raised during the case, however; were of greater importance than the trusteeship of the Galla itself. Sir Thomas Strangman observes in his book Indian Courts and Characters that the case is remarkable not only for its length, but for the amazing claims put forward on behalf of the 'Mullaji' (Taher Saifuddin), the like of which have never been put forward in any Court of Law. Transcript of testimony by the defendant in the Chandabhoy Galla Case Upon conclusion of the case, Strangman noted: "Looking back on the proceedings, I think what impressed me the most, even more than the extravagance of the claims, was the personality of the Mullaji, a frail looking figure possessed nevertheless of an iron will, great determination, and organising capacity. At the time he assumed office the administration must have been extremely slack. Yet he managed in a very few years not only to pull the administration together but to obtain a hold upon his followers greater perhaps than that of any of his predecessors." 
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Transcript of testimony by the defendant in the Chandabhoy Galla Case
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Transcript of testimony by the defendant in the Chandabhoy Galla Case