No regret: Lawyer who threw shoe at CJI BR Gavai won't apologise for his act

Justifying his act, advocate Rajesh Kishore expressed his anger at the CJI and accused him of mocking Sanatan Dharma.

Speaking to ANI, Kishore said, "...Judges should work on their sensitivity. Lakhs of cases are pending...I am neither going to apologise, nor do I regret it. I have not done anything; you are questioning me. Almighty made me do it..."

"...I was hurt...I was not inebriated, this was my reaction to his action...I am not fearful. I don't regret what happened."

"A PIL was filed in the Court of CJI on 16th Sept. The CJI mocked it and said - go and pray to the idol and tell it to restore its own head...When Nupur Sharma's matter came up before the Court, the Court said that she vitiated the atmosphere....When a matter related to our Sanatan Dharma comes up, SC passes such orders.

"Don't provide relief to the petitioner, but don't mock him either...I was hurt...I was not inebriated; this was my reaction to his action...I am not fearful. I don't regret what happened," he added.

The incident took place during proceedings in Court No. 1 around 11:35 am, when the Chief Justice was sitting on the bench alongside Justice K Vinod Chandran.

According to eyewitnesses, the man- identified as Advocate Rakesh Kishore- approached the bench, removed his shoe, and threw it toward the judges while shouting, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma).

Security personnel immediately caught and escorted him out of the courtroom.

Despite the disturbance, CJI Gavai remained composed and instructed those present not to get distracted.

“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” he told lawyers before continuing the proceedings.

The Chief Justice later advised authorities to let off the lawyer with a warning.

The Delhi Police questioned Kishore for over three hours within the Supreme Court premises and allowed him to leave as no formal complaint was registered. His shoes were also returned.

Hours after the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) announced the immediate suspension of Advocate Rakesh Kishore.

In a statement, the BCI said Kishore’s act was “inconsistent with the dignity of the court” and that he has been barred from appearing, acting, pleading, or practising in any court, tribunal, or authority in India.

“On the basis of prima facie material, it appears that at about 11.35 am on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court of India, you, Advocate Rakesh Kishore, enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi, removed your sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings,” the Bar Council’s order read.

The BCI also issued a show-cause notice asking Kishore to explain within 15 days why the suspension should not be continued or further disciplinary action taken.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called CJI Gavai and strongly condemned the incident.

In an X post, the PM wrote, "Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable.

"I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution."