‘Will not tolerate insult to Sanatan Dharma’: lawyer hurls shoe at CJI
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New Delhi: A lawyer allegedly tried to hurl a shoe towards Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during proceedings in the Supreme Court on Monday, PTI reported, citing lawyers’ accounts.
The incident occurred when a Bench led by the CJI was hearing the mentioning of cases by lawyers.
The lawyer approached the dais, removed his shoe, and tried to throw it towards the judge.
Alert security personnel present inside the courtroom immediately intervened and prevented the attack. The lawyer was swiftly escorted out of the court premises.
As he was being taken away, the lawyer was heard shouting, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahenge” (We will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma).
The CJI remained composed and urged lawyers present in the courtroom to continue with their arguments.
“Don't get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” the Chief Justice remarked.
The apex court's security unit has initiated an inquiry into the incident. Further details about the lawyer and possible motives are awaited, according to PTI.
Meanwhile, The Indian Express reported that the attacker was a 71-year-old lawyer, identified as Rakesh Kishore. The Delhi Police have reached the Supreme Court and have initiated a probe, the news house reported.
A senior police officer told TIE that the attacker has been handed over to the security unit of the top court. The person is a resident of Mayur Vihar in Delhi and a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, the official said.
TIE also reports that the attacker was unhappy with the CJI’s recent remarks during a hearing of a plea seeking the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh, which could be the motive behind the attack.