In a disturbing incident, a lawyer attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice BR Gavai this morning. The incident happened at the Chief Justice’s court, where the attempt was foiled by the security. Later while escorting him out of the court, he was heard saying ‘Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega,’ which means that the insult to Sanatan Dharma cannot be tolerated. According to the Delhi police, the advocate, identified as Rakesh Kishore, took out his sports shoes and threw them at CJI Gavai at around 11:35 am, during the proceedings in Court No 1. The Delhi DCP and Supreme Court security officials are currently questioning the accused.
Why did Rakesh Kishore do this?
According to an Indian Express report, the initial investigation revealed that the 71-year-old advocate was unhappy with the CJI’s remarks during a recent hearing of a plea seeking the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh. While being taken out of the court, the man reportedly said, “Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan”. Various news reports said that Rakesh is a resident of the Mayur Vihar area and a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA)
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.
CJI Gavai remarks on Lord Vishnu idol in Khajuraho
On September 16, 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.
“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.
