'These Don’t Affect Me': CJI Gavai Reacts After Lawyer Tries To Hurl Shoe At Him In Supreme Court

A lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai in the Supreme Court on Monday. According to Bar and Bench, the security personnel present in court intervened in the nick of time and escorted the lawyer out.

However, the CJI remained unfazed and asked the lawyers present in court to continue with their arguments.

“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” he said.

The incident happened when the bench led by the CJI was hearing the mention of cases by lawyers.

The report quoted sources and said the lawyer went near the dais and attempted to remove his shoe and throw it at the judge.

As he was being escorted out of the courtroom, he was heard saying, “‘Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge‘

(Will not tolerate humiliation of Sanatana)”.

The incident was possibly sparked by CJI Gavai’s comments in a September 16 case, wherein the Supreme Court had dismissed a plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.

Turning down the plea, the court had termed it a “publicity interest litigation”.

“This is purely publicity interest litigation. 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,” CJI Gavai had said.

Stating that the issue squarely fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the CJI had said, “It’s an archaeological find, whether the ASI would permit such a thing to be done or not. There are various issues.”

“In the meantime, if you are not averse to Shaivism, you can go and worship there. There is a very big linga of Shiva, one of the biggest in Khajuraho,” he said.

His remarks had sparked a row, following which he clarified that he respects all religions and asserted his remarks were mispresented on social media.