Supreme Court Bars Advocate Over ‘Grave Misconduct’ After CJI Shoe Incident

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has terminated the temporary membership of advocate Rakesh Kishore with immediate effect, barring him from practicing in the Supreme Court.

The action comes after Kishore allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the court premises.

A resolution by the SCBA stated that Kishore, a temporary member with No. K-01029/RES dated 27.07.2011, “is terminated with immediate effect, and his name shall be removed from the rolls of the Association.” The resolution further directed that Kishore’s SCBA membership card, if issued, “stands cancelled and forfeited forthwith,” and that a communication would be sent to the Secretary-General of the Supreme Court to cancel his proximity access card immediately.

Earlier reports stated that criminal contempt proceedings are being considered against the 71-year-old lawyer. A letter has been sent to the Attorney General seeking permission to initiate legal action. The Bar Council of India has also suspended him.

Kishore, who claims to have no political affiliations or criminal record, told ANI that he acted out of “emotional pain” over what he described as repeated judicial interference in Hindu religious matters. He expressed no regret for his actions.

Speaking a day after the incident, Kishore said that on September 16, a PIL was filed in the Chief Justice’s court, which, according to him, was mocked by Justice Gavai. “He said, ‘Go pray to the idol, ask the idol to restore its own head,’” Kishore claimed.

He added that his actions were not driven by anger but by distress over what he called inconsistent judicial treatment of different communities.