The Bar Council of India (BCI) has taken swift action against Advocate Rakesh Kishore, suspending him from legal practice with immediate effect after he attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai during Supreme Court proceedings on October 6, 2025.
Key Details of the Incident-
Action Taken: The BCI suspended Kishore, barring him from appearing, acting, pleading, or practicing in any court, tribunal, or authority in India.
Reason: Kishore removed his sports shoes and tried to throw them at CJI Gavai around 11:35 a.m. in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court.
Motivation: Reports suggest Kishore was unhappy with CJI Gavai’s remarks in a hearing related to restoring a Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh.
Reaction: Kishore shouted “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan” (“India won’t tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma”) as security restrained him.
Response and Condemnation– CJI’s Composure: Chief Justice Gavai remained calm, stating, “Don’t get distracted by this. We are not distracted.”
Condemnation:
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) strongly condemned the act.
Political Reactions: Leaders like Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the incident.
Next Steps-
Show Cause Notice: Kishore must explain within 15 days why the suspension shouldn’t continue.
Disciplinary Proceedings: The BCI will initiate proceedings under the Advocates Act, 1961.
The Bar Council of India (BCI) has suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore from legal practice with immediate effect after he attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during Supreme Court proceedings on October 6, 2025. Kishore, 71, reportedly acted out of discontent with CJI Gavai’s remarks in a hearing related to restoring a Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh, shouting “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” as he was restrained by security.
