In a dramatic turn of events inside India’s highest court, Attorney General R. Venkataramani has granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against advocate Rakesh Kishore. The lawyer allegedly attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai inside the courtroom last week - an act that sent ripples across the legal community.
The matter was mentioned before a bench led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi by Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, along with Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. Both urged the court to list the matter urgently, citing the need to safeguard the judiciary’s institutional integrity.
Background
The incident occurred during a routine hearing before CJI Gavai’s bench, when advocate Kishore, agitated over an unspecified grievance, attempted to hurl his shoe in open court. Security personnel intervened swiftly, and no one was harmed.
The Chief Justice, in a move widely appreciated by the Bar, chose to let the incident pass without any formal action. Yet, the outrage among lawyers grew, particularly as videos and social media posts began circulating, some even glorifying Kishore’s behaviour.
Vikas Singh told the court, “I have taken the consent of the Attorney General and seek urgent listing of the criminal contempt matter. This is not about one individual - it is about constitutional integrity.”
The Solicitor General supported the plea, adding that the CJI’s decision to forgive was an act of “majesty”, but the persistent social media glorification of the act was damaging. “It is a matter of institutional integrity,” Mehta told the bench.
Court’s Observations
Justice Surya Kant, however, questioned whether reopening the issue would only breathe new life into an episode better left behind. “Hon’ble CJI has been extremely magnanimous… that shows the institution is not affected by such incidents,” he remarked.
The bench appeared concerned about the possibility of unnecessary media noise. “Every time you take action, it becomes episode No. 2. And for another week, the entire incident will be revived,” Justice Kant cautioned.
Justice Bagchi echoed this sentiment, adding that the court’s time could be better spent addressing pressing cases - “perhaps of persons in jail or those waiting for reinstatement.”
Responding to Vikas Singh’s plea for a “John Doe” order to stop social media glorification, Justice Bagchi observed that such an order might ironically amplify the very content it sought to suppress. “The algorithms are so programmed to appeal to the baser instincts of individuals. Even your mentioning is going to be monetised. Allow it to have a natural death,” he advised.
At one point, Singh passionately argued, “Some people are even invoking Lord Vishnu to justify this act. But Lord Vishnu will never condone violence - it’s an insult to the divine too.” The court agreed that violence had no place in the temple of justice, though the judges maintained their stance on restraint.
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Decision
After a detailed exchange, the bench decided not to act immediately but agreed to list the contempt matter after the Supreme Court’s Diwali vacation.
Justice Surya Kant closed the discussion by noting that while the Bar’s concern was understandable, the dignity of the institution was best preserved through composure, not confrontation. “Our strength lies in our behaviour in court,” he remarked, capturing the delicate balance between accountability and dignity that defines India’s judiciary.
Case: Attorney General Grants Consent for Contempt Proceedings Against Advocate Rakesh Kishore
Petitioner: Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, President SCBA, and Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
Respondent: Advocate Rakesh Kishore
