The Bar Council of India (BCI) has suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore from practice following a shocking incident in the Supreme Court where he attempted to hurl his shoe at the Chief Justice of India, B.R. Gavai, during open court proceedings. The disciplinary action was taken in response to the grave act of professional misconduct that threatened the dignity of the nation’s highest judicial office.
On Monday morning, during the mentioning of cases before a bench headed by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai in Courtroom No. 1, 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore created a commotion. Eyewitnesses reported that Mr. Kishore approached the dais, removed his shoe, and attempted to throw it towards the Chief Justice.
As he was being apprehended by security personnel present in the courtroom, Mr. Kishore was heard shouting, “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma). He was immediately escorted out of the courtroom and handed over to the Supreme Court’s security unit.
Despite the disruption, CJI Gavai remained composed and continued with the day’s proceedings. He was quoted as saying, “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.”
The advocate’s outburst is reportedly linked to remarks made by CJI Gavai during a hearing last month. While dismissing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the restoration of a beheaded seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at a temple in Khajuraho, the CJI had reportedly told the petitioner’s counsel, “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.”
The comment was widely circulated on social media, drawing criticism. CJI Gavai later clarified his position in open court, stating that his remarks had been misrepresented and that he respects all religions.
In response to the egregious breach of courtroom decorum, the Bar Council of India initiated disciplinary proceedings. Citing the act as a direct assault on the independence and dignity of the judiciary, the BCI passed an order suspending Rakesh Kishore from the practice of law indefinitely, pending a full inquiry. The Council condemned the act, emphasizing that such behaviour is unbecoming of a member of the legal profession and brings the entire fraternity into disrepute.
The Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also issued a strong condemnation, calling the gesture “unwarranted and intemperate” and an attack on judicial independence.
