The Supreme Court Bar Association on Thursday expelled Advocate Rakesh Kishore and cancelled his membership after he attempted to throw a sports shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court on October 6.
The SCBA announced the termination of Kishore’s temporary membership (No. K-01029/RES dated July 27, 2011) with immediate effect, ordering that his name be struck off from the association’s rolls.
The resolution stated, “The membership of Advocate Mr. Rakesh Kishore… is terminated with immediate effect, and his name shall stand removed from the rolls of the Association.”
The association also directed that his membership card and proximity access pass be cancelled and forfeited, and asked the Supreme Court’s Secretary-General to revoke his access to the court premises.
The SCBA said its Executive Committee took the decision unanimously after considering the “grave misconduct” of the advocate, who is also registered with the Bar Council of India.
The resolution termed Kishore’s behaviour as “reprehensible, disorderly, and intemperate,” saying it was “utterly unbecoming of an officer of the Court” and amounted to a serious breach of professional ethics and decorum.
“The said conduct amounts to a direct assault on judicial independence, the sanctity of courtroom proceedings, and the long-standing relationship of mutual respect and trust between the Bar & Bench,” the committee said, adding that his continuation as a member would be inconsistent with the dignity of the Association.
Outburst Inside Courtroom
The incident took place during a hearing on October 6 when Kishore allegedly attempted to throw a sports shoe at CJI Gavai before being swiftly escorted out by security.
Eyewitnesses reported that he shouted, “Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (“India will not tolerate disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma”) as he was removed from the courtroom.
He was detained briefly by the Delhi Police but released after the Registrar of the Supreme Court declined to initiate criminal proceedings. Police later recovered a note from his possession reading: “Mera sandesh har sanatani ke liye hai… Sanatan Dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan.”
Kishore was reportedly upset over remarks made by CJI Gavai while dismissing a petition seeking reconstruction of a damaged Lord Vishnu idol in a Khajuraho temple. The CJI later clarified that his comments were made in the context of the Archaeological Survey of India’s jurisdiction, reiterating his respect for all religions.
Both SCOARA & SCBA condemned the act, calling it an attempt to scandalise the office of the Chief Justice and urging contempt proceedings. The Bar Council of India has also suspended Kishore from legal practice through an interim order.
Political leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, and Chief Ministers M.K. Stalin, Pinarayi Vijayan, and Siddaramaiah, have also denounced the incident, describing it as an attack on the dignity of the judiciary.
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