Bar Council Suspends Advocate for Attempting to Attack CJI Gavai in Supreme Court

The Bar Council of India (BCI) has suspended Supreme Court advocate Rakesh Kishore from legal practice after he allegedly attempted to attack Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud’s colleague, Justice B.R. Gavai, inside the courtroom on Monday. The move comes after a dramatic incident in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court, where Kishore reportedly tried to remove his shoe and lunge toward the Chief Justice’s bench while shouting religious slogans.

The BCI issued a statement condemning the act as “gross professional misconduct” and an “attack on the dignity of the judiciary.” Kishore has been barred from appearing, acting, or pleading before any court, tribunal, or legal authority across India until further orders. The Council has also issued a show cause notice, giving him 15 days to explain why his suspension should not be made permanent. The Bar Council of Delhi has been directed to immediately enforce the order and notify all concerned courts and bodies.

The incident is believed to have been triggered by Kishore’s outrage over Justice Gavai’s earlier remarks in a case involving the restoration of a Vishnu idol in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho. Justice Gavai’s comment — interpreted by some as dismissive toward religious beliefs — had sparked backlash on social media. The judge later clarified that his statement had been misrepresented and reaffirmed his respect for all faiths.

Following the attempted assault, both the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) strongly condemned the lawyer’s behavior, describing it as “unbecoming of a member of the Bar” and a “direct assault on judicial independence.”

The BCI’s swift disciplinary action underscores its zero-tolerance stance toward misconduct that threatens courtroom decorum and judicial integrity.