Membership of lawyer who attacked CJI terminated by SCBA

The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) terminated lawyer Rakesh Kishore's membership on Thursday after he attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India D.Y. BR Gavai during proceedings.

The 71-year-old lawyer was also heard saying "Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge" ("We will not tolerate the insult to Sanatan Dharma"), which the SCBA described as "grave misconduct."

Following the incident, the Bar Council of India suspended Kishore's licence immediately, TNIE reported.

The SCBA said Kishore's “reprehensible, disorderly and intemperate behaviour” amounted to “a direct assault on judicial independence” and “a serious breach of professional ethics, decorum and the dignity of the Supreme Court, PTI reported.

"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 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," the SCBA resolution said.