Senior Advocates Condemn Shoe Attack on Chief Justice, Stress Courts Not for Religious Disputes

New Delhi, October 8, 2025: A disturbing incident unfolded in the Supreme Court recently when an elderly lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, threw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during a court proceeding. The shoe did not reach the bench, and Kishore was immediately caught and escorted out by security. The Bar Council of India promptly suspended him. Kishore later claimed he was reacting to remarks by the Chief Justice regarding a plea about Lord Vishnu’s structure at Khajuraho. Former Attorney-General and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi strongly condemned the act, stating that courts are not meant to propagate religious ideas. Speaking to NDTV, Rohatgi called the attack “completely unpardonable” and a gross violation of law, attracting a punishment of six months under criminal contempt provisions. He said it was alarming that the perpetrator was a lawyer, not a disgruntled litigant, and stressed that the act is an unacceptable attempt to use the courtroom as a platform for religious or political messaging. Rohatgi also recalled that such attacks are extremely rare, occurring roughly once every 20 years. He emphasized that strict security measures are essential to prevent similar incidents, noting that past attempts to harm judges, such as a knife attack decades ago, highlight the need for vigilance. While he felt that exemplary punishment should have been imposed, Rohatgi respected the Chief Justice’s decision not to take immediate action, acknowledging his experience and maturity in handling such situations. Congress MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi also condemned the incident, highlighting that attacks on judges strike at the very foundation of the judiciary. He stressed that the judiciary, as the third pillar of democracy, must remain above partisan, religious, or political issues. Singhvi added that such an act is inexcusable for any human being, especially for a lawyer, whose professional duty is to represent clients impartially without letting personal beliefs influence conduct. The incident has sparked discussions about decorum and security in courts. Experts say that while individual expressions of dissent are possible, courts are not platforms for advancing religious arguments or personal grievances. Lawyers, in particular, must uphold the integrity of the legal system and maintain professional conduct, as any violation can have far-reaching implications on public trust in judicial institutions. Authorities continue to review the incident to ensure such breaches of decorum do not occur again. The swift action by the Bar Council and court security highlights the seriousness of maintaining order in India’s highest judicial body. Legal experts agree that preserving the impartiality and sanctity of courts is critical for democracy and that any act undermining this principle, whether by lawyers or others, must be universally condemned. Lawyer Throws Shoe at Chief Justice, Sparks Outcry in Supreme Court In a shocking incident at the Supreme Court, an elderly lawyer threw a shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai during a court proceeding. The shoe did not hit the bench, and the man was immediately caught and escorted out by security. The Bar Council of India suspended him hours later. Senior advocates, including former Attorney-General Mukul Rohatgi, condemned the act, saying courts are not for religious or personal protests. The lawyer claimed he was reacting to remarks about a temple structure, but experts stressed that such actions undermine judicial authority and are completely unacceptable.