Advocate Rakesh Kishore said, “BCI Suspension ‘Despotic Decree, I Was Not Heard,” after a shocking shoe attack attempt in the Supreme Court, highlighting rising tensions between lawyers and the judiciary.
Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to assault the Chief Justice of India, described the Bar Council of India’s decision to suspend him as “a despotic decree.”
He stated,
“The Bar Council, led by Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, sent me a letter last night suspending me, which I can show you. This letter is their order and a despotic decree. According to Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961, whenever any action is taken against an advocate, a show-cause notice must be issued first, the advocate’s side must be heard, and only then can they be dismissed, struck off the roll, or suspended.”
Following his attempted attack on Chief Justice B.R. Gavai in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court on October 6, 2025, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who is enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi (Enrolment No. D/1647/2009).
Allegedly, Kishore removed his sports shoes and tried to throw them at the Chief Justice during court proceedings, leading to his immediate detention by court security.
The BCI stated that his actions breached the Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette, including the obligation to maintain dignity in court and avoid improper attempts to influence judicial proceedings.
As a result, Kishore is barred from appearing, acting, pleading, or practicing in any court, tribunal, or authority in India for the duration of his suspension.
Disciplinary proceedings have commenced, and a show-cause notice has been issued, requiring Kishore to explain within 15 days why the suspension should not be upheld. All courts and Bar Associations have been informed, and any identity or access passes held by Kishore have been rendered invalid.
Kishore was released from custody by the Delhi Police. They indicated that he was released with their consent, as no formal complaint had been filed by Supreme Court officials. He underwent three hours of interrogation by the Delhi Police Security Unit and New Delhi Police officials at the Supreme Court before his release.
An unexpected incident transpired inside the Supreme Court on Monday morning when Advocate Rakesh Kishore attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai during ongoing proceedings.
This disruption occurred around 11:35 a.m. in Court No. 1 while cases were being mentioned before the Chief Justice’s Bench.
Eyewitnesses reported that Kishore suddenly removed his footwear and hurled it toward the dais, but security personnel quickly restrained him. The shoe did not reach the Bench, and order was restored almost immediately.
Kishore was taken into custody and handed over to the Delhi Police for questioning. Witnesses noted that the Chief Justice remained calm and instructed the bar and court staff to continue with the day’s business, asserting that such disturbances would not impact him or the court’s operations.
The incident reportedly stemmed from remarks made by the Chief Justice in a recent hearing concerning the restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Kishore allegedly shouted slogans advocating for the protection of Sanatan Dharma before being escorted out of the courtroom.
During his detention, police found a handwritten note expressing grievances about perceived disrespect towards religious beliefs. His belongings, including the shoe and the note, were returned to him.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commented on the situation via X, stating,
“Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution.”
The Prime Minister’s statement emphasized the seriousness of the incident, indicating that such acts target not just individuals but the institution that embodies constitutional justice.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also condemned the attack on Chief Justice B.R. Gavai, calling the incident “unfortunate” and deserving of condemnation, attributing it to misinformation on social media.
He praised the Chief Justice for maintaining composure and dignity in such a situation, hoping that this magnanimity would not be misconstrued as weakness by others.
During police interrogation, Kishore showed no signs of remorse and referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling to justify his actions.
Kishore claimed that he “couldn’t sleep after that judgment and felt that the almighty was asking me every night how I could rest after such an insult.”
Kishore stood firm in his actions, insisting that he had no political affiliations and expressed his willingness to face imprisonment.
In the courtroom, Kishore defended his actions by stating it was a response to what he perceived as a “mockery” of a public interest litigation (PIL) submitted on September 16.
Speaking to a media house, Kishore stated that he is “ready to face jail.”
He emphasized that he is not associated with any political party. Kishore also revealed that his family is deeply upset with his actions.