Shoe Attack on CJI BR Gavai Shocks Nation: FIRs in Karnataka & Punjab, Protests Erupt Over Casteist Attack

Bengaluru/New Delhi/Chandigarh – In a shocking breach of judicial decorum, a 71-year-old Delhi-based lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, hurled a shoe towards the dais during proceedings in the Supreme Court on October 6, targeting Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran in Court Hall No. 1.

The brazen act, allegedly motivated by casteist sentiments disguised under the guise of 'Sanatan' ideology, has ignited nationwide outrage, prompting swift police action in multiple states, lawyer protests, and political condemnations. While the CJI has chosen not to press charges against the accused, authorities are cracking down on related hate speech, with FIRs filed under stringent laws to protect the judiciary's dignity.

The incident unfolded amid a hearing in the Supreme Court, where advocate Rakesh Kishore, known for his controversial stances, suddenly removed his shoe and flung it towards the judges' bench. Eyewitnesses described the courtroom erupting in chaos as the projectile narrowly missed CJI Gavai, a Dalit judge presiding over the session. Kishore later claimed his actions were a protest against perceived injustices, but sources indicate underlying caste-based animosity, fueling accusations of a targeted assault on the judiciary's independence. No immediate arrests followed due to the CJI's decision against pursuing charges, but an activist has approached the Attorney General seeking mandatory permission to file contempt-of-court proceedings against the lawyer.

Karnataka Police Swiftly Files Zero FIR Against Accused

Responding to a formal complaint by Bhaktavachala, President of the All India Advocates' Association, the Vidhana Soudha police station in Bengaluru registered a Zero FIR against Rakesh Kishore on October 8. The charges invoke Sections 132 and 133 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), accusing him of assault or using criminal force to deter a public servant from duty, and employing criminal force with intent to dishonor an individual.

A Zero FIR allows filing at any station irrespective of jurisdiction, and police sources confirmed the case will soon transfer to New Delhi authorities for further probe. The FIR details the October 6 offense, emphasizing the need to uphold judicial integrity amid the presence of CJI Gavai and Justice Chandran. "This was a direct affront to the judiciary's sanctity," the complainant stated, urging immediate action.

In a show of solidarity, lawyers staged a poignant silent protest outside the Karnataka High Court, demanding Kishore's prompt arrest and a thorough investigation. Protesters decried the attack as a deliberate ploy to undermine judicial autonomy, vowing to intensify campaigns if justice is delayed.

The political fallout has been swift and sharp. The Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) penned a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a judicial inquiry into what it termed a "blatant casteist attack" masked as religious protest. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge echoed the sentiment, labeling the shoe-throwing as "highly condemnable" and unacceptable, especially when invoking religion to target judges.

Meanwhile, in Punjab, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken a hardline stance against the ripple effects. Party chief Arvind Kejriwal publicly slammed ongoing social media abuse against CJI Gavai, amplifying calls for accountability.

Punjab Cracks Down on Casteist Social Media Onslaught

Two days after the Supreme Court drama, Punjab Police registered multiple FIRs on October 8 against over a hundred social media handles spewing casteist vitriol targeting CJI Gavai. A government spokesperson highlighted the posts as a "direct attempt to disturb peace and public order by exploiting caste and communal sentiments," laden with "hate-filled expressions" aimed at eroding respect for judicial institutions.

The FIRs invoke the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, alongside relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections, filed across various districts based on numerous complaints. "Further investigations are underway," a senior official noted, with the Cyber Cell directed to expedite content removal by coordinating with platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook.

This multi-state response highlights a unified front against threats to the judiciary, as stakeholders from legal circles to political arenas rally to safeguard constitutional values.

Meanwhile, in a show of solidarity with the judiciary, lawyers' unions across India, including the All India Lawyers Association for Justice (AILAJ) and other organizations, staged protests outside court campuses in Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Patna, and New Delhi, submitting memorandums to authorities condemning the shameful shoe-hurling incident against Chief Justice of India Justice BR Gavai as a direct assault on the Republic's constitutional values rather than a legitimate form of dissent or protest; expressing deep concern over certain forces masquerading as nationalists to weaken national institutions and foment societal anarchy, the groups appealed to citizens to reject such divisive and insulting acts, while demanding a thorough investigation, immediate stringent legal action against the errant advocate, enhanced security for CJI Gavai from the Central government, strict measures against individuals and organizations spreading intolerance, and robust steps to safeguard freedom of expression and the right to dissent.