'Condemn It, But Judges Should Talk Less in Court': Ex-SC Judge Markandey Katju's Advice After Shoe Attack on CJI

New Delhi: Former Supreme Court Judge Markandey Katju has condemned the shoe-throwing incident against Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai but added that the Justice invited this while hearing a petition

praying for the restoration of a statue of Lord Vishnu in Khajuraho."You say you are a staunch devotee of Vishnu. Go and ask the deity itself to do something. Go and pray," the CJI had said.Sharing his view on CJI's remarks, ex-SC judge Katju said, "Such remarks were totally unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessary, having no bearing on the legal issues involved in the case. Judges should talk less in court, and not deliver sermons, homilies, and lectures."The former SC judge further asked, "What would happen if a judge hearing a petition regarding the demolition of a mosque said, ‘Let Allah or Prophet Mohammed restore it?’”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNwsLaUC53E

What is the Shoe-Throwing Incident Against CJI Gavai?

In an unprecedented and shocking incident, a 71-year-old lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, tried to hurl a shoe at CJI BR Gavai during court proceedings on Monday. The lawyer, who has been suspended now, was allegedly angered by the Justice’s remarks. He took his shoe in his hand and tried to hurl it at the CJI. The act elicited all-around condemnation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsnWBTz0qnU

Why Did Lawyer Targeted CJI Gavai?

According to police sources, the errant lawyer was unhappy over the CJI's remarks during a hearing last month concerning the restoration of a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNFWz50EUXo

CJI Gavai's First Statement On Show Attack

Chief Justice of India BR Gavai earlier today said he and Justice K Vinod Chandran were shocked when a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at him on October 6, but the issue is a "forgotten chapter."The CJI made the observation during the hearing of a batch of pleas seeking review and modification of the Vanashakti judgement, which had prohibited the central government from granting retrospective or ex post facto environmental clearances to projects found violating environmental norms."My learned brother (Justice Chandran) and I were very shocked with what happened on Monday, for us it is a forgotten chapter," the CJI said on the shoe attack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBInoePIKiI

Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, who is sharing the bench, differed with the course of action adopted against the errant lawyer, and said, "I have my own views on this, he is the CJI, it is not a matter of joke!"Justice Bhuyan said the attack was "an affront to the Supreme Court" and due action should have been taken. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta termed the act unpardonable. The top law officer hailed the CJI for his magnanimity and "majesty."Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, who was there in the court, asked senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan to proceed with the matter and not to discuss the shocking episode any further."For us it is a forgotten chapter," the CJI reiterated and proceeded with the hearing.With inputs from PTI