The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) on Thursday terminated the membership of lawyer Rakesh Kishore with immediate effect after he attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India B R Gavai inside the courtroom, an act the SCBA described as “grave misconduct.”
The shocking incident, which took place in the Supreme Court, saw Kishore, 71, shouting:
“Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (will not tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma) while trying to attack the Chief Justice.
In response, the Bar Council of India also suspended Kishore’s license to practice law immediately.
The SCBA criticized Kishore’s actions as “reprehensible, disorderly and intemperate”, stating that they constituted:
A direct assault on judicial independence
A serious breach of professional ethics
A violation of courtroom decorum and the dignity of the Supreme Court
The SCBA resolution further noted:
“The Executive Committee finds that the said conduct amounts to a direct assault on judicial independence, the sanctity of courtroom proceedings, and the longstanding relationship of mutual respect and trust between the Bar and the Bench. The continuation of Mr. Rakesh Kishore as a temporary member of the SCBA would be wholly inconsistent with the dignity and discipline expected of the members of this Association.”
