Shoe-Hurling Incident: Supreme Court Seeks Preventive Measures, SCBA & SG Mehta to Give Suggestions
SC discusses preventive measures after shoe-hurling incident involving former CJI B.R. Gavai took place in early October
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on Wednesday informed the Supreme Court that they would jointly submit suggestions to prevent a repeat of the recent shoe-hurling incident involving former Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai and to ensure responsible handling of its publicity.
Notably, on October 6 incident, Advocate Rakesh Kishore allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai in open court.
The submission was made before the Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi which took note of the assurance given by the SCBA President and the Solicitor General.
The CJI recorded that the two law officers would place before the Court concrete proposals on preventive measures to avoid such incidents in the future, along with a protocol to be followed by all stakeholders regarding the manner in which such episodes are publicised.
The Bench indicated that the focus would be on institutional safeguards and conduct norms to ensure that the dignity of the Court and its judges is maintained, while also preventing unnecessary amplification of such incidents.
Previously, in November, the Bench had said the issue went beyond the individual incident and required a structural response to protect the dignity and safety of court spaces. “We are expecting you (SCBA) to give some suggestions,” Justice Kant had told the association’s representatives. “Just think how to prevent such incidents; whether in the Bar, inside or outside courtrooms. Tomorrow, the bar room or any chamber could also be vulnerable," he had said.
On October 16, SCBA President and Senior Advocate Vikas Singh had mentioned the matter before Justice Kant’s Bench, informing that the Attorney General for India had granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against the advocate. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also supported the plea.
However, the Bench expressed reservations about whether pursuing contempt action would serve any meaningful purpose. It observed that since CJI Gavai himself had chosen not to take any action, it might be better to allow the controversy to “die a natural death.” “The Chief Justice of India has himself decided not to pursue the issue. Why should we revive it and give it fresh life?” the Bench had remarked, adding that the Court’s time might be better utilised for cases of greater public importance.
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.”
The SCBA had terminated the temporary membership of Advocate Rakesh Kishore. 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 had 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 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.
Case Title: Supreme Court Bar Association v. Rakesh Kishore
Hearing Date: December 17, 2025
Bench: Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi