Delhi police release lawyer who attacked CJI BR Gavai after Supreme Court declines to press charges

Delhi Police has released advocate Rakesh Kishore who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai in open court on Monday.

The Supreme Court refused to press charges against the lawyer prompting the police to release him.

The incident occurred on Monday morning when the bench led by CJI Gavai was hearing lawyers’ requests for urgent listings.

Kishore allegedly walked toward the dais, took off his shoe and tried to hurl it at the Chief Justice while shouting that “Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan.”

He was swiftly restrained by security personnel and escorted out of the courtroom.

Despite the commotion, CJI Gavai continued with the proceedings, telling those present not to lose focus. The Chief Justice remarked that incidents like these did not unsettle him.

Reportedly, the Delhi Police detained Kishore immediately after the incident and questioned him for over three hours at the Tilak Marg police station.

According to officers, they recovered from his possession a white paper note stating, “Mera sandesh har Sanatani ke liye hai… Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan.”

Kishore was also found carrying identity cards of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahdara Bar Association and the Bar Council of Delhi.

Following the questioning, the police said Kishore was released after the Supreme Court’s Registrar General formally conveyed that the Court would not be pressing charges. The Registrar also directed the police to return Kishore’s shoes and documents.`

However, shortly after widespread condemnation of the incident, the Bar Council of India suspended the lawyer's bar license.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta commended CJI Gavai for remaining unfazed after the incident.

PM Modi took to X and deplored the incident while commending the CJI for his calm demeanour.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also condemned the incident, calling it “unprecedented” and “deeply regrettable.” They emphasised that such acts undermine the dignity of the institution and urged restraint and decorum within court premises.

The alleged act appeared to stem from outrage over remarks made by CJI Gavai earlier this month while hearing a plea concerning the restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho.

During that hearing, the Chief Justice had commented that devotees should “go and ask the deity itself” since the matter involved an archaeological site that required clearance from the Archaeological Survey of India.

The observation triggered a social media backlash, with some alleging that the remark was disrespectful to Hindu sentiments. In a subsequent hearing, CJI Gavai clarified that his remarks were taken out of context and reiterated his respect for all faiths.

“I respect all religions. This happened on social media,” he said during the open court clarification.