Delhi Police released the lawyer who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during a court hearing. The Supreme Court chose not to file charges, showing restraint and focusing on maintaining judicial dignity.
Delhi Police released advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during an open court session on Monday.
The Supreme Court decided not to pursue charges against the lawyer, leading to his release by the police.
The incident took place on Monday morning while the bench, led by CJI Gavai, was considering lawyers’ requests for urgent listings. Kishore was detained by the Delhi Police immediately after the incident and was questioned for over three hours at the Tilak Marg police station.
Officers reported that they found a white paper note in his possession stating,
“Mera sandesh har Sanatani ke liye hai… Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan.”
Additionally, he was carrying identity cards from the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahdara Bar Association, and the Bar Council of Delhi.
After the questioning, the police announced Kishore’s release following a formal notification from the Supreme Court’s Registrar General, indicating that the Court would not be pressing charges. The Registrar also instructed the police to return Kishore’s shoes and documents.
In the wake of widespread condemnation of the incident, the Bar Council of India decided to suspend the lawyer’s bar license. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta praised CJI Gavai for his composed response to the situation.
PM Modi expressed his disapproval of the incident on X and commended the CJI for maintaining his calm. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also condemned the occurrence, labeling it “unprecedented” and “deeply regrettable.”
They stressed that such actions undermine the dignity of the institution and called for restraint and decorum within court premises.
A lawyer attempted to assault Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during a Supreme Court session on Monday.
The incident occurred as the CJI presided over the hearing of case mentions by various lawyers. Sources indicate that the lawyer approached the dais and tried to remove his shoe to throw it at the judge.
Fortunately, security personnel intervened just in time and escorted the individual out of the courtroom.
As he left, the lawyer was heard stating,
“Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge.”
Unfazed by the disruption, the CJI urged the lawyers present to continue their arguments, asserting,
“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.”
The incident may have been triggered by CJI Gavai’s remarks in an earlier case concerning the restoration of a 7-foot beheaded Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho.
Earlier, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a petition seeking to replace a damaged, 7-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
The petitioner argued that restoring the idol, which was decapitated during Mughal invasions centuries ago, was vital for reviving the temple’s sanctity and resuming worship.
The temple, constructed by the Chandela rulers between 1050 and 1075 AD, is part of the Khajuraho complex, renowned for its remarkable architecture and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Devotees have long claimed that the broken idol has hindered prayers at the sanctum sanctorum.
Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, who led the bench, dismissed the plea sharply.
He remarked to petitioner Rakesh Dalal, who has been advocating for the restoration of broken idols across various temples,
“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.”
This comment, delivered in open court, was meant to be sarcastic but quickly resonated outside the courtroom. For Dalal and his supporters, the ruling represented not only a legal setback but also a blow to their religious sentiments.
Posts advocating for “Impeach the CJI” gained significant traction, revealing a stark divide between constitutional restraint and public sentiment.
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