Chief Justice of India BR Gavai narrowly escaped an attack on Monday at the Supreme Court, when a lawyer attempted to throw a shoe at him inside Court No. 1. The assailant, identified as 72-year-old Rakesh Kishore, was immediately handed over to Delhi Police, though he was reportedly released after the Supreme Court registry declined to press charges.
During questioning, Kishore showed no remorse, citing a recent Supreme Court judgment he opposed as motivation for his actions. The case involved a plea seeking the reconstruction and reinstallation of an idol at the Javari Temple, part of the Khajuraho UNESCO World Heritage site. The CJI-led bench had refused to hear the petition, noting that the matter fell under the Archaeological Survey of India’s jurisdiction and telling the petitioner to “ask the deity to do something.”
Kishore said he “couldn’t sleep after that judgment” and claimed he was acting at the behest of “the almighty.” He stressed he was not affiliated with any political party and stated he was “ready to go to jail,” adding that his family was upset with his actions. ANI reported that he shouted, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan” (“India won’t tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma”) as he was escorted out.
The attacker also expressed displeasure with CJI Gavai’s remarks in Mauritius last Friday, where the Chief Justice had said, “India’s legal system operates under the rule of law, not under the rule of bulldozer. Just because something is legalized, it does not mean it is just.”
SCBA joint secretary Meenesh Dubey, who met Kishore after the incident, said the assailant “felt no guilt” for his actions. Police confirmed that Kishore had valid courtroom access, including a Bar Council of India card and a temporary Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) membership.
The incident, which occurred around 11:35 am, sparked widespread outrage across the country.
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