NEW DELHI, Oct 6 — A man dressed as a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai during court proceedings in the Supreme Court on Monday, briefly disrupting the hearing before being overpowered by security personnel.
The incident took place inside Court No. 1 while CJI Gavai was presiding over the bench. Eyewitnesses said the man, appearing to be an advocate, approached the dais and tried to remove his shoe, apparently intending to throw it toward the Chief Justice. He was restrained by security before he could do so and was escorted out of the courtroom.
Some witnesses claimed the man appeared to be throwing a roll of paper instead of a shoe. “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan),” he was heard shouting as security officers removed him from the hall.
The man was later identified as 71-year-old Rakesh Kishore, sources said. He was taken into custody and was being questioned by police at the time of filing this report.
Unfazed by the incident, the CJI continued with the proceedings. “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” Justice Gavai told the lawyers present, resuming the hearing as normal.
Senior advocate Indira Jaising condemned the incident on social media and called for an inquiry. “This requires a detailed investigation. The lawyer must be named and legal action taken against him. This appears to be a blatant casteist attack on the Supreme Court of India,” she wrote on X, urging the judges to issue a united statement against ideological attacks.
The episode comes weeks after CJI Gavai drew criticism from some groups for remarks made during a hearing on a plea seeking the restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho. At the time, he had remarked, “Go and ask the deity itself to do something now… It’s an archaeological site and the ASI needs to give permission.”
The CJI later clarified his comments, saying, “I respect all religions. This happened on social media.”
