A lawyer hurled a shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court, triggering nationwide outrage. Bar Council suspended him as Sonia Gandhi and Kapil Sibal termed it an attack on the Constitution.
New Delhi: A shocking incident occurred inside the Supreme Court of India on Monday when advocate Rakesh Kishore attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during court proceedings.
The 71-year-old lawyer, a resident of Mayur Vihar and a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association since 2011, removed his sports shoe and hurled it toward the CJI.
Fortunately, the court’s security personnel intervened immediately and detained the lawyer before any harm could occur.
Bar Council of India Suspends Advocate
Following the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended Rakesh Kishore’s licence to practice law with immediate effect. The suspension order, signed by BCI Chairman and Senior Advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, cited the act as a grave violation of professional conduct and etiquette.
During the suspension period, Kishore is barred from appearing, acting, pleading, or practising before any court, tribunal, or legal authority in India.
The Bar Council of Delhi has been directed to update Kishore’s status and notify all relevant courts, tribunals, and Bar Associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, about the suspension.
A show cause notice will also be issued, requiring Kishore to explain within 15 days why further disciplinary action should not be taken.
Condemnation from SCOARA and Legal Community
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCOARA) condemned Kishore’s actions, calling them “unwarranted and intemperate” and describing the behaviour as “unbecoming of a member of the Bar” and an “assault on judicial independence.”
Read Resolution:
SCOARA urged the Supreme Court to initiate suo motu contempt proceedings and expressed its support for the judiciary.
Eyewitness Accounts and Lawyer’s Statements
Eyewitnesses reported that the shoe narrowly missed Justice Vinod Chandran. As he was escorted out, Kishore shouted, “India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma” and also stated, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge.”
Despite the disruption, CJI Gavai remained calm and urged the lawyers to continue, saying,
“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.”
Kishore later admitted that the act was intended for the Chief Justice and apologised to Justice Chandran. He was released the same day by Delhi Police after the Supreme Court’s Registrar General refused to register a case against him.
Solicitor General Condemns the Act
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta strongly condemned the incident, calling it “unfortunate” and attributing it to misinformation on social media:
“This is the result of misinformation in social media.”
He praised the Chief Justice’s composure, adding,
“It is really heartening that the chief justice of India reacted with magnanimity…. I only hope that this magnanimity is not treated by others as the weakness of the institution.”
Mehta also highlighted CJI Gavai’s respect for all religions:
“I have personally seen the chief justice visiting religious places of all religions with full reverence. The chief justice has also clarified this position. It is not understood what prompted one miscreant to do what he did today. It appears to be an act of some attention seeker wanting cheap publicity.”
Sonia Gandhi: “An Assault on the Constitution as Well”
Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi issued a strong statement condemning the incident.
She said,
“No words are adequate to condemn the attack on the Honourable Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court itself. It is an assault not just on him, but on our Constitution as well.”
She further added that while Chief Justice B.R. Gavai has shown grace, the nation must stand in solidarity with him, united with a deep sense of anguish and outrage.
Kapil Sibal Condemns Lawyer’s Conduct
Senior Supreme Court lawyer and former Union Minister Kapil Sibal strongly condemned the incident, stating,
“The uncivilised behaviour of a member of the Supreme Court Bar must be publicly condemned by one and all since it is affront to the majesty of the court. The silence of the PM, the Home Minister and the Law Minister is, to say the least, surprising.”
Trigger: CJI Gavai’s Remarks on Vishnu Idol Case
The incident appears linked to remarks made by CJI Gavai in September during a hearing on the restoration of a 7-foot Vishnu idol at the Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
While dismissing the plea, he remarked,
“This is purely publicity interest litigation. Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc.”
Legal Implications and Contempt of Court
The attempted shoe attack qualifies as criminal contempt under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. Article 129 of the Constitution empowers the Supreme Court to take suo motu action in cases of disrespect.
Courts can impose imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of ₹2,000, or both, depending on the severity. Under Section 267 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), obstruction of a government official or public servant in court may also result in imprisonment of up to six months, a fine of ₹5,000, or both.
CJI B.R. Gavai’s Career Highlights
Born in November 1960 in Amravati, Maharashtra, B.R. Gavai began his legal career in 1985 and started independent practice at the Bombay High Court in 1987, mainly focusing on constitutional and administrative law.
He served as Government Pleader and Public Prosecutor at the Nagpur bench in 2000, became an Additional Judge in 2003, a permanent judge in 2005, and was elevated to the Supreme Court in May 2019. He has authored nearly 300 judgments, primarily on fundamental rights and constitutional law.
CJI Gavai, the first-ever Buddhist Chief Justice, took oath as the 52nd CJI after Justice Sanjiv Khanna retired. His term will last until November 23, 2025, when he reaches the retirement age of 65.
The Supreme Court, the Bar Council of India, and legal associations have collectively condemned Kishore’s actions and emphasized the importance of respecting judicial authority.
The incident demonstrates the judiciary’s resilience and highlights the strict legal measures in place to protect the dignity of India’s highest court.
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