The Delhi High Court condemned the shoe-throwing incident targeting CJI BR Gavai, saying it deeply hurt both the Bar and the Bench. The court stressed that such acts insult the entire judicial institution, not just an individual.
New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent shoe-throwing incident that took place involving Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai.
A Division Bench consisting of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that the shocking act had deeply hurt not only the members of the legal profession but also the judiciary as a whole.
The court made this statement while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed to remove online videos related to the incident.
During the hearing, the Bench remarked,
“We share your [petitioner’s] concerns, perhaps with more intensity. It has not only hurt the members of the Bar but the Bench as well. It is not about an individual, but the institution. Such incidents, in a society, are not only to be deprecated but certain measures are to be taken as well.”
Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Chetan Sharma appeared on behalf of the Central government and said that he completely agreed with the concerns raised by the petitioner.
The petitioner’s counsel argued that the government and authorities should also take steps to ensure that if such incidents happen in the future, the identity of the person involved should be hidden so that they do not get unnecessary attention or publicity.
The counsel stated,
“The people who are doing such acts, they are doing it for false publicity. The moment their identity is hidden, it will discourage others from taking such action.”
ASG Sharma further informed the court that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has already initiated contempt of court proceedings regarding this same incident before the Supreme Court.
He pointed out that the top court may also expand the scope of those proceedings beyond mere contempt. Sharma said that the matter pending before the Supreme Court could involve wider issues related to such acts of disrespect toward the judiciary.
After hearing all sides, the Delhi High Court decided to keep the PIL pending for the moment. The Bench said that if the petitioner, Tejasvi Mohan, does not intervene in the ongoing Supreme Court proceedings, then the High Court will continue to hear and decide the case on its own.
Finally, the court deferred the matter for further consideration and listed it for the next hearing on December 4.
The High Court’s remarks underline the seriousness of the incident and its concern for protecting the dignity of the judicial institution.
By stating that such acts are not against an individual judge but against the very “institution” of justice, the Bench made it clear that strong action and preventive measures are necessary to maintain respect for the judiciary.
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