CJI B.R. Gavai Faces Shoe-Throwing Incident in Court

CJI B.R. Gavai Faces Shoe-Throwing Incident in Court

On Monday, Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai was the target of a shoe-throwing attempt during a Supreme Court hearing, causing a brief disruption in the courtroom. The incident occurred when a 71-year-old lawyer, identified as Rakesh Kishor, approached the dais and attempted to throw his shoe at the Chief Justice. Eyewitnesses reported that Kishor shouted, "Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge" (will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma) before being swiftly restrained by security personnel and escorted out of the courtroom.

Despite the chaos, CJI Gavai remained composed, stating, "Don’t get distracted by all this. These things do not affect me," and continued with the proceedings. The incident is believed to be linked to Gavai's recent remarks regarding a plea for the restoration of a damaged Vishnu idol in Madhya Pradesh. During that hearing, he had controversially commented, "Go and ask the deity itself," which sparked significant backlash from various religious groups and social media users.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta condemned the act, calling it "unfortunate and condemnable," attributing it to misinformation and an attempt at cheap publicity. He expressed hope that the Chief Justice's calm response would not be misinterpreted as weakness. Senior advocate Indira Jaising described the incident as an attack on the institution of the Supreme Court, emphasizing the need for a thorough investigation.

CJI Gavai, who took office as the 52nd Chief Justice in May 2023, has a notable legal career, having authored nearly 300 judgments primarily focused on constitutional law and fundamental rights. His term is set to conclude on November 23, 2025, when he reaches the retirement age of 65 for Supreme Court judges. Gavai is also recognized as the first Buddhist to hold the position of Chief Justice in India. The Supreme Court administration is expected to release an official statement regarding the incident soon, as investigations continue into the lawyer's motives.