"Attack on Judiciary's Foundation" : AGI Grants Consent To Initiate Contempt Case Against Lawyer Who Hurled Shoe At CJI

New Delhi- The Attorney General for India (AGI), R. Venkataramani, has granted formal consent for initiating criminal contempt proceedings against lawyer Rakesh Kishore for his "scandalous" act of attempting to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court.

The consent was granted in a letter addressed to Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), stating that Kishore's conduct was a "grave affront" to the dignity of the court and the rule of law.

The incident, which sent shockwaves through the legal community, occurred on October 6. During a hearing before a bench led by the CJI, the 71-year-old lawyer suddenly approached the dais, removed his shoe, and attempted to hurl it at the judges. The act was immediately thwarted by alert security personnel.

Following the incident, instead of showing remorse, Rakesh Kishore was defiant and justificatory in his public statements. He claimed he was "deeply hurt" by the CJI's previous remarks during a hearing related to a religious matter. In media interactions, he referenced the CJI's comments in Mauritius criticizing "bulldozer justice" and alleged bias in the judiciary's approach to cases involving different communities.

Crucially, he openly declared, "If God calls me again, I will do it again," and revealed his Dalit identity while questioning the CJI's own background. His subsequent statements, including announcing a hunger strike at the Khajuraho temple, showed no repentance but rather a continued intent to justify his actions.

The AGI's letter leaves no room for ambiguity in condemning Kishore's behaviour. The AGI stated that Kishore's "acts and utterances are not only scandalous but also calculated to demean the majesty and authority of the Supreme Court."

 It emphasised that such behaviour "strikes at the very foundation of the justice delivery system" and erodes public confidence in the judiciary. The AGI firmly rejected any of Kishore's purported reasons, stating they "can never be in justification of such scandalous conduct."

It was noted that Kishore "has not shown any repentance," as was evident from his continued public utterances.