In the shoe-hurling incident targeting CJI B.R. Gavai, the Supreme Court said it is “not against free speech, but not at the cost of others’ dignity,” warning that unregulated social media is turning into a dangerous, money-spinning venture.
The Supreme Court emphasized that the right to speech and expression must not infringe upon the dignity and integrity of others.
The court expressed concerns about the risks of “unregulated social media”, particularly in light of incidents like the recent shoe-throwing towards Chief Justice of India B R Gavai, labeling such actions as “money-spinning ventures.”
A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi made these statements while Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate Vikas Singh, who also leads the Supreme Court Bar Association, requested an urgent hearing for contempt proceedings against 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore, who threw the shoe during court sessions on October 6.
The bench remarked,
“We are not against freedom of speech and expression but this right cannot be exercised at the cost of integrity and dignity of others,”
Singh pointed out that Kishore had not shown remorse and was giving interviews that were circulating on social media, undermining the institutional integrity of the Supreme Court.
Singh requested,
“Social media has gone berserk over the incident. He is giving interviews and these are going on and on and demeaning the institutional integrity and dignity. Please restrain social media from airing such content. I am seeking an order on the line of John Doe order,”
A John Doe order is a legal measure that enables action against unknown parties. At the outset, Mehta informed the bench that Attorney General R Venkataramani had given his consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Kishore, considering the matter’s implications for institutional integrity.
The Bench will revisit the matter after the Court reconvenes following the Diwali break on October 27.
Additionally, on October 9, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai made a rare public statement regarding the attempted shoe attack on him in the Supreme Court on October 6, characterizing the incident as shocking but one that the Bench now regards as a “forgotten chapter.”
During court proceedings, CJI Gavai expressed,
“My learned brother and I were very shocked with what happened… for us it is a forgotten chapter,”
The SCBA terminated the temporary membership of Advocate Rakesh Kishore, stating that it had taken “serious note of the grave misconduct” attributed to him.
The SCBA’s Executive Committee unanimously condemned Kishore’s actions as “reprehensible, disorderly, and intemperate,” declaring that such behavior was “utterly unbecoming of an officer of the Court” and constituted a “serious breach of professional ethics, decorum, and the dignity of the Supreme Court of India.”
Earlier, A Supreme Court lawyer has written to the Hon’ble Attorney General for India seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore.
The petition comes after Mr. Kishore allegedly removed his shoes and attempted to hurl one towards the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, inside Court No.1 on October 6, 2025.
This incident generated significant outrage nationwide, and the assailant, identified as 72-year-old Rakesh Kishore, was subsequently handed over to the Delhi Police.
During police interrogation, Kishore showed no signs of remorse and referenced a recent Supreme Court ruling to justify his actions.
Earlier, A shocking incident occurred inside the Supreme Court of India on 6th October, 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.
The incident took place in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court when a 71-year-old lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, tried to hurl his shoe towards the Chief Justice while proceedings were underway.
Kishore reportedly walked close to the dais where the judges were seated, removed his shoe, and attempted to throw it.
Alert security personnel inside the courtroom immediately intervened and stopped the attack. Kishore was quickly escorted outside and prevented from causing further disturbance.
Police officials later said that the lawyer was upset with remarks made by the Chief Justice while hearing a plea connected to the restoration of a seven-foot-tall damaged Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the shocking incident inside the Supreme Court where Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai faced an attempted attack.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi said,
“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.”
Modi also praised the calmness and dignity with which Justice Gavai handled the situation.
FOLLOW US FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES ON YOUTUBE
