Former Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi condemned the shocking incident where a lawyer threw a shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai, calling it “gross criminal contempt” and stressing that courts must remain free from religious or political influence.
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NEW DELHI: In a shocking breach of courtroom decorum, a lawyer threw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during a Supreme Court proceeding this week. The incident was, though physically harmless, has raised debate on respect for judicial institutions, freedom of expression, and the growing intrusion of ideological extremism into spaces meant for reason and law.
Mukul Rohatgi: “Courts Are Not Meant to Propagate Religious Ideas”
Former Attorney-General of India and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi strongly condemned the incident, describing it as “completely unpardonable.” He said,
“It is the grossest form of criminal contempt as defined by law. It attracts a punishment of six months.”
Rohatgi emphasized that the courtroom is a space for the rule of law, not for religious or political expression:
“It seems to me that he is either a religious fanatic who seems to have been carried away by some observation made by the Chief Justice, or he is using the court as a political platform or a religious platform to propagate his views. Courts of law are not meant to propagate religious ideas.”
He recalled that similar outbursts of violence inside the Supreme Court have occurred only rarely, perhaps once in two decades, citing a past instance where a litigant tried to attack a judge with a knife. Rohatgi stressed the need for continued vigilance and stronger courtroom security.
While he expressed disappointment that the assailant was forgiven, Rohatgi noted that the Chief Justice’s response reflected “maturity” and composure, befitting the dignity of the position.
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Abhishek Manu Singhvi: “An Attack on the Institution Itself”
Echoing similar sentiments, Congress MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi called the act an “attack on the very foundation of the judiciary.”
“It is not about Judge A or Judge B. It is about the institution — the third pillar of democracy. Such acts must be condemned unequivocally because they strike at the root of the concept that holds this institution above partisan politics,”
Singhvi said.
He also pointed out that the act was especially egregious because it came from a lawyer, someone who has taken an oath to uphold the law.
“It is inexcusable for a lawyer to even think of doing such a thing. Lawyers should never identify with a cause beyond their professional obligation. That really compounds the felony 100 times over.”
The Incident
According to reports, the accused, identified as advocate Rakesh Kishore, hurled a shoe toward the Chief Justice during a court session. Fortunately, the projectile did not reach the bench, and Kishore was swiftly escorted out by court security. Soon after, the Bar Council of India (BCI) announced his immediate suspension pending further disciplinary action.
In a subsequent statement, Kishore defended his act by claiming divine inspiration, stating,
“I did not do it; God did. The Chief Justice mocked Sanatan Dharma. This was the Almighty’s order, a reaction to an action.”
His words revealed a troubling blend of religious fervor and professional misconduct, a combination that experts warn could have deep consequences for India’s judicial ecosystem.
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