In the eyes of the court, Sayyed Waseem-ur-Rehman Shah is a deported Pakistani national who somehow made his way back to India, and has been living in Bhandup since, embroiled in a wakf land dispute. For hundreds of his disciples however, he is a spiritual leader of their dargah, the Gaddinasheen who occupies the Masnat or spiritual throne. This fact was plain for all to see yesterday, when the Bombay High Court came down heavily on Shah and his lawyers for bringing droves of his loyal spiritual disciples with them to court for a hearing.

Follow the leader: u00a0Faithful disciples of Shah flocked to the court to show support for their saint at his court hearing, much to the consternation of the high court bench. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi