The incident unfolded on Monday morning, just as Chief Justice Gavai began hearing the first case of the day in Court No 1.
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai broke his silence on the recent shoe-throwing incident inside the Supreme Court, describing it as a “forgotten chapter.” The comment came two days after the unprecedented attack, which occurred during a court hearing on Monday.
While sitting beside Justice Ujjal Bhuyan in the courtroom, Chief Justice Gavai said, “My learned brother and I were very shocked with what happened on Monday… for us it is a forgotten chapter.” He made no further remarks, choosing to move on from the incident.
However, Justice Bhuyan weighed in with a pointed response. “I have my own views on this,” he said. “He is the Chief Justice of India — it’s not a matter of joke. As judges, over the years, we will do a lot of things which others may not think are justifiable, but that does not change our opinion about what we did.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also condemned the attack, calling it “unpardonable” and praised the Chief Justice’s “majesty and magnanimity” for treating the matter as closed.
The Incident
The attack occurred on the morning of October 6, when Chief Justice Gavai began hearing the first case of the day in Court No. 1. Witnesses reported that an elderly lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, used his Supreme Court advocate proximity card to enter the courtroom. Once inside, he unexpectedly removed his shoe and hurled it towards the bench while shouting, “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” (“We will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma”).
The shoe fell short of the bench, and court security immediately overpowered the assailant, escorting him out as the courtroom fell silent. Despite the disruption, Chief Justice Gavai remained calm, continuing the proceedings without further comment. “I am the last person to be affected by such things,” he reportedly said, instructing his staff not to be distracted. “These things do not affect me.”
Despite the severity of the incident, the Supreme Court did not file a formal complaint, and Chief Justice Gavai reportedly asked the registry not to take punitive action against the lawyer. The Delhi Police later questioned Kishore for several hours on the court premises before releasing him, and his shoes were returned.
Prime Minister and Bar Council’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi strongly condemned the attack, calling it “utterly condemnable.” Speaking in a post on X (formerly Twitter), Modi stated, “I 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 praised the Chief Justice’s unwavering commitment to justice and the Constitution, adding, “It highlights his commitment to the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution.”
The Bar Council of India (BCI) swiftly took action, suspending Advocate Rakesh Kishore from practicing law. In a strong statement, the BCI described his actions as “inconsistent with the dignity of the court.” The Council ordered that Kishore be barred from appearing in any court or tribunal across India and issued a show-cause notice, questioning why the suspension should not be made permanent.
The Controversy Behind the Outburst
The shoe-throwing incident occurred amid ongoing controversy surrounding the Chief Justice’s remarks on religious issues. Last month, during a hearing concerning the restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Justice Gavai reportedly made comments that offended some religious groups. When a petitioner sought the Court’s intervention to reconstruct and reinstall the idol, the Chief Justice responded, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation.”
The comments sparked outrage on social media, with critics accusing the Chief Justice of disrespecting religious faith. In response to the backlash, the Chief Justice clarified his position, stating, “Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed on social media in a certain manner. I respect all religions.”
Leave a Reply