The Supreme Court bench led by the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai on Thursday addressed the unprecedented incident earlier this week where a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at the bench. The CJI expressed that he and Justice K Vinod Chandran, were "shocked" by the Monday attack, but added that the Court had already put the matter behind it, calling it a "forgotten chapter."
The comments emerged during the hearing of an unrelated case when Senior Advocate Gopal Sankarnarayan was appearing before the bench.
'An Affront to Institution': Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan on Attempted Attack
The sentiment of condemnation was quickly echoed by other members present. Justice Ujjwal Bhuyan emphasised the seriousness of the failed attack.
According to news agency ANI, highlighting the gravity of the incident, Justice Bhuyan stated, “It's not a matter of joke, it's an affront to the institution.”
Concurring with the Court's view, Solicitor General of India (SGI) Tushar Mehta termed the act “unpardonable.” Mehta, who was present in Court, added that it was the “CJI's magnanimity that the said attacker was pardoned by the Court.”
The septuagenarian attacker, identified as 71-year-old lawyer Rajesh Kishore, entered Court No. 1 on Monday and attempted to throw a shoe towards the CJI-led bench.
According to initial reports, the attacker’s motive stemmed from his disgruntlement over recent remarks made by the CJI during the hearing of a petition. This plea sought the restoration of a beheaded structure of Lord Vishnu at a temple in Khajuraho.
Protests in Thane Over Attack on Judiciary
In Maharashtra’s Thane, several Ambedkarite organisations took to the streets to condemn the attempted attack, calling it an insult to the judiciary and a blow to constitutional values, PTI reported.
Led by Nanasaheb Indise, protesters gathered at the statue of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar at Court Naka, carrying placards and raising slogans demanding stern action against the lawyer, identified as Rakesh Kishore (71).
Activists Rajabhau Chavan and Bhaskar Waghmare also filed a written complaint at Thane Nagar Police Station, urging that Kishore be booked under sedition laws and the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Indise alleged that the act reflected “the ideology of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), which has opposed the Constitution from the beginning.” He added, “If the Chief Justice himself is not safe, then no citizen in the country is safe. This is not just an insult to the judiciary but an assault on constitutional values.”
Zero FIR Registered in Bengaluru
According to police officials, the Bengaluru Police registered a zero FIR against lawyer Rakesh Kishore on Wednesday. The complaint was filed by Bhaktavachala, President of the All India Advocates Association, at the Vidhana Soudha Police Station.
The FIR invokes Sections 132 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of duty) and 133 (assault or criminal force with intent to dishonour a person, otherwise than on grave provocation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
According to PTI, the association, in its complaint, stated, “The act of Mr Rakesh Kishore is not pardonable and acceptable by any section of society. In fact, his act is punishable… this is a grave incident to take seriously and punish the culprit in accordance with law.”
CJI’s Previous Remarks on Idol Restoration
The controversy that allegedly fuelled the attack centred on remarks made by CJI Gavai during the Lord Vishnu idol matter. When the petitioner sought directions to restore the deity, the CJI had reportedly suggested that the petitioner “should go and seek the remedy by praying to Lord Vishnu, as the Court declined to entertain the same.”
In refusing to hear the case, the Apex Court had reasoned that the dispute concerned a temple that is designated a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), suggesting the ASI was better equipped to intervene in the matter.