In the wake of a dramatic security breach inside the Supreme Court, an advocate has approached Attorney General R Venkataramani seeking permission to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against lawyer Rakesh Kishore for allegedly attempting to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B R Gavai during court proceedings on Monday.
Incident Inside the Courtroom
Kishore allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe towards the CJI’s dais while shouting “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge,” creating chaos inside the packed courtroom. The shocking act took place in the presence of lawyers, litigants, and court staff. The Bar Council of India reacted swiftly, suspending Kishore’s bar licence with immediate effect.
Request for Criminal Contempt
In a letter addressed to the Attorney General, advocate Subhash Chandran K R sought consent under Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Kishore.
Under this provision, the Supreme Court or High Courts may initiate contempt proceedings if they are personally aware of the contemptuous act. For action by any other person, the consent of the Attorney General (for Supreme Court matters) or the Advocate General (for High Courts) is mandatory.
The plea stated that Kishore’s act of attempting to hurl a shoe at the CJI’s dais and raising slogans inside the courtroom amounted to “gross interference with the administration of justice” and a “deliberate attempt to undermine the dignity of the Supreme Court.”
“The most contemptuous act of the contemnor diminishes the majesty and authority of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and defeats the Constitution of India,” the letter said.
Post-Incident Remarks and Lack of Remorse
The letter also highlighted that even after the incident, Kishore made disparaging remarks against the Chief Justice during media interactions. Instead of expressing regret, he allegedly justified his actions, which, according to the advocate, “reflects a clear intention to scandalise the court and erode public confidence in the judiciary.”
Related Complaint Against Religious Orator and YouTuber
This is the second letter received by the Attorney General on the issue. Earlier, Mission Ambedkar founder had written seeking consent to initiate contempt proceedings against religious orator Aniruddhacharya alias Aniruddh Ram Tiwari and YouTuber Ajeet Bharati, alleging that they incited the attempted attack on the CJI.
