The Delhi High Court on Wednesday strongly condemned the recent incident where a lawyer hurled a shoe at Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court, calling it deeply hurtful and unacceptable.
A bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela observed that such acts tarnish the dignity of the judiciary and called for preventive measures to ensure that similar occurrences are avoided in the future. “We share your concern, perhaps with more intensity. It has hurt not only members of the Bar but everybody. It is not the question of an individual. Such incidents should not only be deprecated but appropriate measures need to be taken,” the bench remarked.
The court was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Tejaswi Mohan seeking directions to take down videos of the October 6 incident that continue to circulate on social media. The petitioner also sought that the identity of any such offender be concealed to avoid giving them undue publicity.
Appearing for the Centre, Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma informed the bench that the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) had already moved the apex court, seeking contempt action against the advocate who attempted to throw the shoe at CJI Gavai during court proceedings. Sharma suggested that the petitioner may seek intervention in the pending Supreme Court matter instead, since the issue was already under consideration there.
The ASG referred to media reports indicating that the Supreme Court might issue a John Doe order and frame guidelines to prevent such incidents in courtrooms. Agreeing with this approach, the bench said, “You may apprise the Supreme Court of this matter being filed and seek intervention there. Otherwise, we will entertain.” The court, however, decided to keep the petition pending and listed it for further hearing on December 4, noting that the top court appeared inclined to expand the scope of the matter.
The incident in question occurred on October 6, when 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe toward Chief Justice Gavai during proceedings. The CJI, showing composure, instructed the staff and security to “just ignore” the incident and release the lawyer with a warning. The Bar Council of India subsequently suspended Kishore’s licence to practice with immediate effect.
Earlier, while hearing the SCBA’s plea, the Supreme Court declined to initiate contempt action against the lawyer but observed that it would consider framing preventive guidelines to maintain decorum and protect judicial officers from such acts in the future.
