Supreme Court Bar Association Terminates Membership Of Lawyer Who Tried To Attack CJI BR Gavai

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has terminated the temporary membership with immediate effect of Advocate Rakesh Kishore who attempted to throw a sport shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on October 6. 

"NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED THAT the membership of Advocate Mr. Rakesh Kishore, being a temporary member bearing No.K-01029/RES dated 27.07.2011, of the Supreme Court Bar Association, is terminated with immediate effect, and his name shall stand removed from the rolls of the Association.

It is further resolved that his SCBA Membership Card issued if any, stands cancelled and forfeited forthwith, and that a communication be sent to the Secretary- General, Supreme Court of India, requesting that the proximity access card issued to him be cancelled immediately."

As per the resolution of the SCBA, the Executive Committee of the SCBA has taken an unanimous decision taking into consideration the grave misconduct of the temporary member of the SCBA and registered with the Bar Council of India. 

As per the resolution: "Such reprehensible, disorderly, and intemperate behaviour is utterly unbecoming of an officer of the Court and constitutes a serious breach of professional ethics, decorum, and the dignity of the Supreme Court of India; The Executive Committee finds that 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 and the Bench; 

The Executive Committee, having duly deliberated upon the incident and the gravity of such misconduct, is of the considered view that 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."

Earlier morning of October 6, an advocate attempted to throw an object, which many reported to be a sports shoe, at the CJI before he was escorted out by the Supreme Court security. According to lawyers present, the individual shouted, “Sanatan Dharam ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (“India will not tolerate disrespect towards Sanatan Dharma”) while being removed from the courtroom. He was detained by the Delhi police before being released after the Registrar of the Supreme Court refused to initiate any criminal action against him.

As per The Indian Express, the police recovered a white paper note from his possession, which read: "Mera sandesh har sanatani ke liye hai...Sanatan Dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan (My message is for all followers of Hinduism, this country will not tolerate any disrespect to Hinduism."

Kishore was reportedly unhappy with CJI Gavai's remarks made while dismissing a petition seeking reconstruction of a dilapidated Lord Vishnu Idol at a temple in Khajuraho. CJI had later clarified that the remarks were made in the context of the fact that it was within the ASI's jurisdiction. He also clarified that he respects all religions.

Both SCOARA and SCBA have issued statements condemning the act as scandalising the office of the CJI and have urged for initiation of contempt proceedings. Moreover, the Bar Council of India has issued an interim order suspending the advocate registered with the Bar Council of Delhi from practice with immediate effect.

Politicians, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah and many others, condemned the attack on CJI.

Click Here To Read The Resolution