The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has taken strict disciplinary action against advocate Rakesh Kishore, the lawyer who recently attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai. Kishore has been expelled from the association with immediate effect, his entry pass has been revoked, and he has been permanently barred from entering the Supreme Court premises. The SCBA termed his conduct as disgraceful, calling it “reprehensible, disorderly, and intemperate,” and stated that it violated the ethics, decorum, and dignity expected from an officer of the court.
Following this incident, former Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Arvind Kejriwal released a video statement condemning the attack and alleging that it was not an isolated act but a “preplanned conspiracy” meant to intimidate both the Dalit community and the judiciary. Kejriwal claimed that the attack, along with the subsequent online threats and abuse directed at Chief Justice Gavai, appeared to be part of a deliberate campaign. He questioned why no immediate legal action was taken against either the lawyer who launched the shoe or the individuals issuing threats on social media.
Kejriwal emphasized that Justice Gavai’s Dalit background made the incident especially concerning, arguing that the attack symbolized deeper social prejudice. He suggested that certain groups could not tolerate the idea of a Dalit rising through merit to occupy the nation’s highest judicial position. “Is this not an attempt to humiliate and terrorize the Dalit community?” he asked, warning that such acts risk emboldening those who hold caste-based biases and send a discouraging message to marginalized citizens seeking justice.
He further expressed concern that leniency or inaction against such behavior could erode judicial independence and create fear among judges across all levels of the judiciary. “If the Chief Justice of India can be attacked and threatened without consequence, what protection remains for judges in lower courts?” he questioned. According to Kejriwal, such incidents might deter judges from issuing bold rulings and could represent a broader attempt to intimidate the judiciary into silence.
In his statement, Kejriwal demanded severe punishment for the lawyer who committed the act and for those spreading hate and threats online. He linked the event to a wider trend of institutional attacks, stating that after targeting the Election Commission, the media, and the opposition, “there is now an effort to undermine the judiciary,” which he described as a dangerous sign for India’s democracy.
Meanwhile, the controversy stems partly from the Chief Justice’s remarks made during a hearing on the restoration of a damaged Vishnu idol in Madhya Pradesh. Justice Gavai reportedly told the petitioner to “go and ask the deity itself,” a comment that provoked criticism from some quarters. Rakesh Kishore later defended his outburst, claiming that his act of aggression was an emotional reaction to the CJI’s “mocking” tone in the courtroom. Kishore asserted that he was neither intoxicated nor remorseful, saying, “When it comes to issues of Sanatan Dharma, the court mocks us. I was hurt, and my action was a reaction to that.”
The incident has sparked nationwide debate over respect for judicial authority, caste sensitivity, and the growing trend of public hostility towards constitutional institutions. The SCBA’s swift action underscores the seriousness with which the legal fraternity views such behavior, aiming to preserve the integrity and decorum of India’s highest court.
