Shoe Hurling Episode: CJI Says was “Shocked” But Treat it as a “Forgotten Chapter”
Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Oct 9: In his first reaction on the despicable shoe hurling incident in the Supreme Court, the Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday said he and his fellow judge on the bench were initially “shocked” over it but insisted that they have treated it as a “forgotten chapter” and did not wish to proceed any further with it.
CJI Gavai’s remark came while the bench headed by him, along with justices Ujjal Bhuyan and K. Vinod Chandran, was hearing a review petition seeking recall of a May 16 judgment that set aside two government notifications from 2017 and 2021 permitting development projects to commence work without prior environmental clearance.
“My brother (justice Chandran) and I were shocked with what happened on Monday (October 6)… For us, it is a forgotten chapter,” CJI Gavai said during the courtroom exchange. The Chief Justice added no further comment.
Justice Bhuyan, however, weighed in with a pointed observation. “I have my own views on this,” he said. “This should not be forgotten. The institution of CJI is not a joke. This is an affront on the institution of judiciary with the CJI at the helm,” giving a dissenting note to the view held by the CJI. “As judges over the years, we will do a lot of things which others may not think are justifiable, but that does not change our opinion about what we did.”
However, Justice Chandran remarked, “There are other things that are more despicable.”
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was also present, condemned the attack. “That was unpardonable,” he said, adding that the CJI’s “majesty and magnanimity” in treating the incident as closed was “commendable.”
The incident unfolded on Monday morning, just as Chief Justice Gavai began hearing the first case of the day in Court No 1. According to witnesses, an elderly lawyer identified as Rakesh Kishore, using a proximity card issued to Supreme Court advocates, suddenly removed his shoe and threw it towards the bench while shouting, “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” – “We will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma.” The shoe, however, fell short of the bench. Court security personnel immediately overpowered the man and escorted him out as the courtroom fell silent.
Throughout the commotion, the Chief Justice remained calm and continued with the proceedings. “I am the last person to be affected by such things,” he said, instructing his staff: “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.” No formal complaint was lodged by the Supreme Court. The CJI, it is learnt, asked the registry not to take punitive action against the man. The Delhi Police nevertheless questioned Kishore for several hours inside the court premises before releasing him. His shoes were later returned.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Justice later that evening, terming the act “utterly condemnable.” “Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable,” the Prime Minister said in a post on X. “It highlights his commitment to the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution,” he added.
Within hours, the Bar Council of India (BCI) ordered the suspension of Advocate Rakesh Kishore, describing his actions as “inconsistent with the dignity of the court.” In a strongly worded order, the Council stated: “On the basis of prima facie material, it appears that at about 11.35 am on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court of India, you, i.e. Advocate Rakesh Kishore, enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi, removed your sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings.”
The BCI has barred Kishore from “appearing, acting, pleading and practising in any court, tribunal or authority in India,” and issued a show-cause notice asking why the suspension should not be made permanent.
The attempted attack came amid controversy surrounding remarks the Chief Justice made last month during a hearing on the restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the UNESCO-listed Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
When a petitioner sought the Supreme Court’s intervention to reconstruct and reinstall the idol, the Chief Justice reportedly remarked, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation.”
The comments sparked outrage on social media, with some accusing him of disrespecting religious faith. Days later, the Chief Justice clarified his position, saying, “Someone told me the other day that the comments I made have been portrayed on social media in a certain manner. I respect all religions.”
Kishore has expressed no remorse, alleging that a divine voice provoked him to take this step. Upon his detention by police, he informed them that his action was based on a recent decision by the CJI not to entertain a petition seeking restoration of Lord Vishnu’s idol at the Khajuraho temple.
