A routine hearing at the Supreme Court on Monday turned violent when senior lawyer Rakesh Kishore threw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai. (Image Source: X.com/ANI)
A routine hearing at the Supreme Court on Monday turned violent when senior lawyer Rakesh Kishore threw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai. The deed did not harm the Chief Justice physically, as the shoe did not hit him. Nevertheless, it made a mark in the Indian judiciary's history, although CJI Gavai attempted to brush off the attack, stating, "These things do not affect me," before proceeding with the hearing.
When Kishore was being ushered out, the 71-year-old lawyer hurled, "India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma." This happened weeks after CJI Gavai faced intense criticism over his controversial "go and ask the deity itself" comments during the hearing of a plea connected with the restoration of a broken Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho complex in Madhya Pradesh.
Kishore was a registered Supreme Court Bar Association member and lived in Delhi's Mayur Vihar locality, reports said, quoting police sources. He had joined the Bar Council of Delhi in 2009. The senior lawyer is recognized among the legal community for his long membership in several bar associations.
Police spotted Kishore holding membership cards of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahdara Bar Association, and the Bar Council of Delhi, reported Bar and Bench. He was recognized after security personnel acted in Court No. 1 and immediately escorted him out of the courtroom. He was detained briefly before he was released within the court campus itself.
The Bar Council of India moved within hours, serving an interim suspension order on Rakesh Kishore for his behavior in the Supreme Court.
The act was "prima facie inconsistent with the dignity of the court" and was based on violations of the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, Chairperson Manan Kumar Mishra wrote. In its release, the Bar Council stated, "On prima facie material, it seems that around 11.35 am on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court of India, you i.e. Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who is enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi vide enrolment nos., took off your sports shoes and tried to throw them at the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India in the course of proceedings, whereafter you were held in custody."
The Bar Council strongly pointed out that such behavior is unacceptable and defiles the dignity of the court. The step taken by the council is temporary, subject to further investigation.
Also Read: Folk Icon Maithili Thakur Poised to Enter Bihar Election Race from Alinagar Seat
