Lawyer Attempts Shoe Attack on Chief Justice Gavai in Supreme Court, Draws Widespread Condemnation

Incident Unfolds in Supreme Court

In a startling incident on Monday, October 6, 2025, a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during court proceedings inside Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court premises in New Delhi. The individual, identified as Rakesh Kishore, a 71-year-old advocate, was swiftly restrained by security personnel before the object could strike the Chief Justice.

The incident immediately drew widespread condemnation from across the political spectrum and the legal fraternity, including a strong rebuke from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Motive Behind the Attempted Attack

Reports indicate that Advocate Rakesh Kishore's actions stemmed from his dissatisfaction with recent remarks made by CJI Gavai. The Chief Justice had reportedly commented during a hearing concerning a plea for the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho temple complex, stating, 'Go and ask the deity himself to do something.' This observation had previously generated criticism on social media.

As Kishore was being escorted out of the courtroom, he was heard shouting, 'Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan' (India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma), further indicating his motive was linked to perceived disrespect towards religious sentiments.

CJI's Composure and Subsequent Actions

Despite the disruption, Chief Justice B.R. Gavai maintained remarkable composure. He remained unfazed and instructed the lawyers present to continue with the ongoing proceedings, stating, 'I am not distracted by all this. You also don't be distracted and proceed further with the case.'

In a significant development, CJI Gavai directed the Supreme Court Registry not to press charges against Rakesh Kishore. Consequently, the Delhi Police released the advocate later the same day after initial questioning.

Widespread Condemnation and Legal Repercussions

The attempted shoe attack was met with immediate and strong condemnation from various quarters:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with CJI Gavai, calling the act 'utterly condemnable' and stating that it 'angered every Indian.' He also praised the Chief Justice's calm demeanor.
• The Bar Council of India (BCI) took swift action, suspending Rakesh Kishore from practicing law with immediate effect, citing conduct 'inconsistent' with the 'rules and the dignity of the court.'
• The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) and the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) issued statements expressing 'profound shock, outrage, and unequivocal condemnation' of the incident, emphasizing that such behavior undermines judicial independence and decorum.
• Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also condemned the incident, attributing it to misinformation on social media.
• Leaders from opposition parties, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, also denounced the act, calling it an 'assault on the dignity of our judiciary and the spirit of our Constitution.'

The incident has sparked a broader discussion on decorum within judicial premises and the impact of social media on public discourse surrounding legal matters.