Shoe attack on CJI: Lawyer Rakesh Kishore released by Delhi police after questioning

NEW DELHI: The lawyer who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court was released after questioning. 71-year-old Rakesh Kishore walked out free after three hours of grilling by Delhi police, after the Supreme Court Registrar General refused to file charges against him. This was reportedly on the instructions of the Chief Justice Gavai, who decided that no case be registered against the lawyer.

The Chief Justice responded that this would not affect him and that he would not be distracted. The court proceedings continued as usual.

The incident took place at 11.30 am, just after the bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Malayali Judge K. Vinod Chandran began sitting. While the lawyers were mentioning the cases to list them quickly, Rakesh Kishore moved in front of the judge. He was about to throw his shoe at the Chief Justice, but was caught by the security personnel.

Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore. BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra said that Rakesh Kishore's actions are a serious breach of discipline. The Supreme Court Bar Association and the Supreme Court Advocates on Record Association condemned the action.

The incident took place in the court of Chief Justice BR Gavai in the morning. Advocate Rakesh Kishore approached the judges' dais and tried to throw his shoe at CJI. Security personnel intervened in time and took the advocate out. Rakesh Kishore tried to throw his shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai, shouting, "India will not tolerate insults to Sanatana Dharma."