Shoe-Hurling at CJI: Attorney General Approves Contempt Action, SC Cautions
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta informed the Supreme Court that Attorney General has granted consent for criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore who tried to hurl a shoe at CJI BR Gavai
SC Bench led by Justice Surya Kant takes note after Attorney General consents to criminal contempt action over the shoe-hurling attempt at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai
The Attorney General for India (AGI) R. Venkataramani has granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court,
The development was mentioned before a Bench led by Justice Surya Kant by Senior Advocate and SCBA President Vikas Singh, supported by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
Singh informed the Court that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Executive Committee met soon after the incident and unanimously decided to dissolve its earlier resolution, terming the act condemnable. “The matter is all over social media,” he said, adding that the incident has brought disrepute to the institution.
Solicitor General Mehta confirmed that Attorney General R. Venkataramani had given his consent for initiating contempt proceedings. “Some people are glorifying this act, saying it should’ve been done long back,” Mehta said, expressing deep concern over the trend of online applause for violent conduct within court premises.
Justice Surya Kant, while acknowledging the outrage, remarked that the Chief Justice had been “magnanimous,” reflecting the strength and maturity of the institution. “Violence can never be justified,” he observed. “But once such proceedings begin, it becomes a spectacle. Everything turns into a saleable item on social media," Justice Kant added.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh urged the Court to consider passing a John Doe order to restrain the glorification of the incident online. “Even Lord Vishnu would never endorse violence. What he did is not just an affront to the Court but an insult to the God he invoked,” Singh said.
Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the institution’s dignity is preserved by the conduct of its members. “The Hon’ble CJI showed that spirit by brushing the incident aside. Reopening a closed issue might only fuel the noise of those who thrive on it,” he said, cautioning that social media platforms tend to amplify such controversies for traction.
Mehta pointed out that the missed opportunity to take firm action in similar past instances had emboldened some individuals. “Social media runs on algorithms that promote hate and anger. People think they’re using social media, but in reality, they’re the product,” he noted.
To this, Justice Kant said, "We are the product and consumer both."
Justice Bagchi added that online algorithms are designed to reward outrage. “When such incidents are discussed, they get monetised. Even this very mentioning will be monetised,” he said.
Justice Surya Kant assured that the Bench understood the concern but advised caution. “If something has to be done, it must be done immediately,” Singh urged, to which Justice Kant responded, “Let’s see what happens in a week.”
The Bench will reconsider the matter after the Court reopens after Diwali break on October 27.
Importantly, on October 9, in a rare public statement, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai had addressed the attempted shoe attack on him in the Supreme Court on Monday, i.e. October 6, describing the incident as a shocking moment but one that the Bench now considers a “forgotten chapter.” Speaking during court proceedings, CJI Gavai had said, “My learned brother and I were very shocked with what happened… for us it is a forgotten chapter,” signaling the judiciary’s determination to move past the incident without allowing it to overshadow court functioning.
The SCBA had terminated the temporary membership of Advocate Rakesh Kishore. In its unanimous resolution, the Executive Committee of the SCBA said it had taken “serious note of the grave misconduct” committed by Kishore, who was enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi (Enrolment No. D/1647/2009) and held a temporary SCBA membership under No. K-01029/RES dated 27.07.2011. Calling the act “reprehensible, disorderly, and intemperate”, the SCBA stated that such behaviour was “utterly unbecoming of an officer of the Court” and amounted to a “serious breach of professional ethics, decorum, and the dignity of the Supreme Court of India.”
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.