Man tries to hurl shoe at Chief Justice Gavai in Supreme Court

In a dramatic incident, a man dressed as a lawyer on Monday attempted to attack Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during proceedings in the Supreme Court.

The incident unfolded when CJI Gavai was conducting proceedings in the court no. 1 of the Supreme Court when the man – who looked like an advocate – went to the dais and attempted to remove his shoe with the intent of throwing it at the CJI.

The security personnel present in the courtroom acted swiftly and nabbed him before he could throw the shoe and escorted him out, eyewitnesses said.

Some others, however, said the man appeared to be hurling a roll of paper.

“Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan),” the man was heard shouting while being removed from the court.

Later, he was identified as 71-year-old Rakesh Kishore, sources said, adding he was being interrogated by the police.

Unfazed by the unusual turn of events in his courtroom, CJI Gavai remained composed and went on with the court proceedings without as usual.

“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” the CJI said, asking lawyers to continue with their arguments.

Senior advocate Indira Jaising demanded a probe into the incident.

“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. It deserves to be condemned by all judges of the Supreme Court by a united press statement that ideological attacks will not be tolerated by the court. Befitting the courts dignity, the CJI Gavai went about judicial work with no visible disturbance,” Jaising wrote on X.

While refusing to entertain a plea relating to the restoration of a 7-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho, CJI Gavai last month told the petitioner to ask the deity itself to do something.

“Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc,” the CJI had said.

His comments caused a social media furore with many accusing him of hurting religious sentiments. Later, the CJI clarified, “I respect all religions...This happened on social media.”