Bengaluru Police Register FIR Against Rakesh Kishore for Attempted Shoe Attack on CJI Gavai

The Vidhana Soudha police in Bengaluru have lodged an FIR against a Delhi-based advocate Rakesh Kishore who allegedly tried to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai in the Supreme Court on October 6, 2025. 

Because the incident happened in New Delhi (in Court Hall No. 1 of the Supreme Court), the FIR has been registered as a zero FIR, meaning it was filed outside the jurisdiction of the local station. The complainant in the case is another advocate, Bhaktavatsala.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 132 and 133 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) which respectively pertain to use of assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging duty, and use of force with intent to dishonour a person.

As per media reports, the FIR will be transferred to the jurisdictional police station in New Delhi for investigation.

On October 6, Advocate Rakesh Kishore attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside Court Hall No. 1, during a Supreme Court hearing. The CJI remained composed and continued proceedings even as security personnel restrained the advocate, drawing widespread condemnation from the legal fraternity.

Within hours of the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended Kishore’s licence to practice law, calling the act violative of "the Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette". The BCI a show cause notice to Kishore requiring him to explain, within 15 days, why the suspension should not continue. All courts and Bar Associations were also notified, and any court-issued identity or access passes held by Kishore had been rendered inoperative.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta condemned the attack, describing it as a consequence of misinformation spread online about the judiciary. He urged restraint and caution against narratives that distort public faith in courts.

Political and legal bodies, including the CPI(M) and the All India Lawyers’ Union (AILU), condemned the incident, terming it an “attack on the judiciary and the Constitution.” They demanded for strong action against those promoting hostility towards the courts.

The All India Bar Association (AIBA) urged authorities to register an FIR against Kishore, calling his conduct "disturbing" and "unprecedented". AIBA Chairman Dr. Adish C Aggarwala emphasised that police must act swiftly to preserve the dignity of constitutional institutions.

Following the incident, the authorities said that over 700 police and security personnel remain stationed at the Supreme Court complex daily.

The Delhi Police released Advocate Kishore after brief detention since no formal complaint was filed by the Supreme Court officials. Citing procedural norms, police officials said no FIR could be registered without a complaint from the court’s administration.

In a related development, activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh sought the Attorney General’s consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against individuals, including YouTuber Ajeet Bharti, over online remarks threatening the CJI.