Lawyer Throws Shoe at Chief Justice in Supreme Court Incident

A lawyer hurled a shoe at the Chief Justice of India during a Supreme Court hearing on September 25, 2023, marking a significant breach of courtroom decorum that has sparked widespread condemnation across the nation. The assailant, Rakesh Kishore, aged 71, reportedly shouted slogans about “Sanatan Dharma,” a term often associated with Hinduism, while targeting Justice BR Gavai. The shoe narrowly missed the chief justice and another judge, landing close to the bench.

Justice Gavai confirmed he was unharmed, stating, “I only heard the sound. Maybe it fell on some table or somewhere.” He urged those present in the courtroom to remain focused, saying he was “not distracted by all this.” Eyewitness accounts reported that the object brushed past the judges before landing behind them. Following the incident, Kishore was quickly restrained by courtroom security.

Kishore was questioned by the Delhi police but released after three hours, as the Supreme Court’s registrar general indicated that the chief justice did not wish to press charges. Officials also returned Kishore’s belongings, which included identification cards from the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Delhi Bar Council. A handwritten note was discovered in Kishore’s possession, stating, “My message is for every follower of Sanatan Dharma. India will not tolerate an insult to Hinduism.”

The controversy traces back to September 16, when Justice Gavai dismissed a plea regarding the replacement of a damaged statue of the Hindu god Vishnu. During the hearing, he suggested that the petitioner should “go and ask the deity himself to do something.” These remarks garnered significant backlash on social media, with many accusing the judge of disrespecting Hindu beliefs. Justice Gavai later clarified that his comments were misinterpreted and reaffirmed his respect for all religions.

In response to the attack, the Supreme Court Bar Association suspended Kishore, stating his actions were “utterly unbecoming of an officer of the court.” The association emphasized that such behavior undermines public trust in the judiciary and violates the principles of decorum and discipline essential for the legal system’s integrity. They also commended Justice Gavai for maintaining his composure during the incident.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned the attack, asserting that there is no place in society for such actions. He noted that the incident has “angered every Indian.” Solicitor General Tushar Mehta attributed the incident to “misinformation on social media” and highlighted the chief justice’s dignified response.

Opposition leaders also expressed their outrage. Sonia Gandhi of the Congress party described the act as an assault on both the judiciary and the constitution. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of India Marxist and the Communist Party of India characterized it as a direct attack on judicial dignity. D Raja, general secretary of the Communist Party of India, criticized the incident as an attempt to impose right-wing ideologies over constitutional values.

As Justice Gavai is set to retire next month, he remains under the protection of the Delhi police. Senior advocate Indira Jaising called for a detailed investigation into the incident, labeling it a “blatant casteist attack on the Supreme Court of India.” She urged for a collective condemnation from all judges of the Supreme Court to affirm that ideological assaults will not be tolerated.

This incident has raised significant concerns regarding the safety of judicial officers in the country and the importance of maintaining decorum within court proceedings.