Criminal Contempt Action Sought Over Shoe Attack on CJI Gavai
A plea has been filed seeking criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court courtroom. The request has been made to the Attorney General of India for his consent, as required under law.
Incident Details
The attack occurred during Monday’s morning session in Courtroom No. 1 while court proceedings were underway. Kishore reportedly shouted slogans like “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan” (“India will not tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma”) while trying to fling the shoe. Security personnel intervened immediately and restrained him.
Legal Steps Initiated
Following the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended Kishore’s licence citing conduct unbecoming of the legal profession. A Supreme Court advocate, Subhash Chandran K.R., has written to the Attorney General seeking permission to initiate contempt action under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. The plea states that Kishore’s act interfered with justice administration and undermined the dignity of the Court.
Concerns Raised
The petition argues the act was a “gross interference” in court processes and amounted to scandalising the judiciary. It further points to Kishore’s media statements after the attack, alleging he showed no remorse and defended his conduct. Advocates seeking action say such behavior risks eroding public confidence in the judiciary.
