Shoe attack on CJI Gavai: AG grants consent to initiate contempt action against lawyer
SC cautions against ill-effect of 'unregulated' social media; says 'we are both product and consumer'
The Bench said the fundamental right of speech and expression is not absolute and cannot be at the cost of the integrity and dignity of others. File photo
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The immediate fallout from the attempted shoe attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai saw rapid legal action and a formal debate on the corrosive influence of digital media, as proceedings unfolded on Thursday in the Supreme Court.
The Attorney General (AG) has granted consent for initiating contempt action against 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore, who had hurled a shoe towards the CJI, the Supreme Court was informed.
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A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi was requested by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) chief and senior advocate Vikas Singh that the contempt case be heard against advocate Rakesh Kishore.
The legal fraternity turned its attention to the online discourse surrounding the incident, which SCBA President Vikas Singh said has "gone berserk".
The SG and the SCBA chief sought a Supreme Court order to restrain social media from airing content on the shoe-throwing incident, arguing that such material is demeaning the institution.
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The SC itself cautioned against the ill-effect of 'unregulated' social media, noting that "we are both product and consumer".
While the court acknowledged the seriousness, it indicated it may consider hearing the matter post-Diwali break, remarking, "Let's see if saleable points are still left after a week".
The dramatic incident occurred on October 6 in Court No. 1, while CJI Gavai was conducting proceedings.
Kishore, a resident of Mayur Vihar-1 Extension in East Delhi, attempted to remove his shoe with the intent of throwing it at the CJI. Quick action by security personnel nabbed him before he could hurl the shoe.
As Kishore was escorted out, he was heard shouting, “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan).
Kishore was reportedly upset with the CJI’s recent remarks made during a hearing on the restoration of a beheaded Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho, where the CJI told the petitioner to “go and ask the deity itself to do something now”. This statement had previously caused a social media furore.
Unfazed, CJI Gavai continued with his duties, addressing the lawyers: “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me”. — with PTI
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