Who Is Rakesh Kishore? Lawyer Suspended After Shocking Shoe-Throw at CJI BR Gavai

A shocking incident unfolded inside the Supreme Court of India on Monday when advocate Rakesh Kishore attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during open court proceedings. The 71-year-old lawyer, a resident of Mayur Vihar and a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, approached the dais, removed his sports shoe and hurled it toward the CJI. Fortunately, court security personnel intervened swiftly, restraining him before any harm could be caused.In response to the incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended advocate Rakesh Kishore from practicing law with immediate effect. The suspension order, signed by BCI Chairman Manan Kumar Mishra, cited the act as a grave violation of professional conduct

and etiquette. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA) also condemned the act, describing it as a direct assault on judicial independence and a disgrace to the legal profession.The incident may have been triggered by CJI Gavai’s remarks in a previous case concerning the restoration of a seven-foot beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at Khajuraho. While dismissing that case, he said, “Go and ask the deity itself to do something now. You say you are a staunch devotee of Lord Vishnu. So go and pray now. It’s an archaeological site and ASI needs to give permission etc."Solicitor General Tushar Mehta described the act as "unfortunate and condemnable", calling it a result of misinformation and an attempt at cheap publicity."Today's incident in the chief justice's court is unfortunate and deserves condemnation. This is the result of misinformation in social media. It is really heartening that the chief justice of India reacted with magnanimity.... I only hope that this magnanimity is not treated by others as the weakness of the institution," the top law officer said. "I have personally seen the chief justice visiting religious places of all religions with full reverence. The chief justice has also clarified this position. It is not understood what prompted one miscreant to do what he did today. It appears to be an act of some attention seeker wanting cheap publicity," Mehta added.