Attempt to hurl a shoe toward Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during the court proceedings.

A lawyer allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai during the proceedings in the Supreme Court of India in New Delhi on Monday, October 6, 2025.

Security personnel promptly restrained the lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, before the shoe could hit the dais or the Chief Justice.

As the lawyer was being escorted out, he was reportedly heard shouting the slogan, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma/Sanatan).

The act is believed to be in protest against certain remarks the Justice Gavai had made in a recent hearing concerning a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought the reconstruction and restoration of a damaged Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple in the Khajuraho complex in Madhya Pradesh.

While dismissing the plea, the CJI had reportedly said, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation.”

He had added that since the temple is an archaeological site, the matter falls under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), and the court cannot intervene.

Facing severe backlash on social media, with some users and Hindu groups accusing him of mocking their faith and hurting religious sentiments, Justice Gavai had come out with a clarification over his oral remarks and got support from the legal fraternity.

While security personnel were in action in the courtroom, the Chief Justice of India remained composed and unfazed by the disruption. He asked the lawyers to continue with the arguments, stating, “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me.”

The lawyer was detained after the incident.

Reacting to the incident, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said, “Today’s incident in the Chief Justice’s court is unfortunate and deserves condemnation.  This is the result of misinformation on social media.  It is really heartening that the Chief Justice of India reacted with magnanimity and majesty of the highest court of the country.  I only hope that this magnanimity is not treated by others as the weakness of the institution.

“I have personally seen the Chief Justice visiting religious places of all religions with full reverence. The Chief Justice has also clarified this position.  It is not understood what prompted one miscreant to do what he did today.  It appears to be an act of some attention seeker wanting cheap publicity,” The Solicitor General said in a statement.

The Bar Council of India (BCI), the apex body of lawyers in the country, took immediate action, suspending Advocate Rakesh Kishore from legal practice with immediate effect, citing that his conduct was “inconsistent with the rules and the dignity of the court.” Disciplinary proceedings have been initiated.

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the lawyers’ body of the apex court with which the erring advocate is registered, unanimously expressed its profound shock, outrage, and unequivocal condemnation of the reprehensible act committed by the advocate in question.

“Such intemperate behaviour is utterly unbecoming of an officer of the Court and strikes at the very foundation of mutual respect that underpins the relationship between the Bench and the Bar,” the SCBA said in a statement.

The SCBA said it commends the calm composure and exemplary restraint demonstrated by the Chief Justice of India, who, in the face of this grave provocation, continued to discharge his judicial duties with dignity and poise, upholding the highest traditions of the judiciary.

“The Association reaffirms its complete solidarity with the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and the companion Judges of the Supreme Court,” said the SCBA statement.

Reports indicate that the Chief Justice of India later directed the Supreme Court Registry not to press charges, following which the Delhi-based lawyer was released after being questioned by the Delhi Police.