Key Highlights:
- Chief Justice BR Gavai called the shoe attack incident a “forgotten chapter” during court proceedings
- Advocate Rakesh Kishore was suspended by Bar Council of India for hurling shoe at CJI during hearing
- Supreme Court security measures under review following unprecedented breach in Court No. 1
Initial Response and Court Proceedings
Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Thursday broke his silence regarding the unprecedented shoe attack that occurred in Supreme Court premises on October 6, 2025, describing the incident as a “forgotten chapter”. Speaking during court proceedings alongside Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, the Chief Justice Gavai remarked, “My learned brother and I were very shocked with what happened on Monday… for us it is a forgotten chapter”. The Chief Justice Gavai maintained his composure throughout the ordeal, demonstrating remarkable judicial restraint in handling the security breach that sent shockwaves through India’s legal establishment.
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, who shared the bench with Chief Justice Gavai during the proceedings, expressed strong disapproval of the attack, stating, “I have my own views on this. He is the Chief Justice of India; it’s not a matter of joke! I am not apologetic thereafter; it’s an affront to the institution”. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, present during the hearing, condemned the attack as “unpardonable,” adding that the Chief Justice Gavai’s “majesty and magnanimity” in treating the incident as closed was “commendable”.
Except Rightist ideologues & their followers, every conscious Indian is shocked by this Incident. https://t.co/t8pRrQI0X7
— ARUN KUMAR GUPTA (@ARUN_290352) October 9, 2025
The Shoe Attack Incident Details
Security Breach in Supreme Court
The incident unfolded on Monday morning, October 6, 2025, at approximately 11:35 AM in Court No. 1 as Chief Justice Gavai began hearing the first case of the day. Advocate Rakesh Kishore, a 71-year-old lawyer enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi since 2009, suddenly removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Chief Justice Gavai while shouting “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahenge” – “We will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma”.
The shoe fell short of the bench, and court security personnel immediately restrained Kishore and escorted him out as the courtroom fell silent. Throughout the commotion, Chief Justice Gavai remained calm and continued the proceedings, instructing his staff, “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me”. The Chief Justice Gavai demonstrated exceptional judicial temperament, stating, “I am the last person to be affected by such things”.
Perpetrator Background and Motivations
Rakesh Kishore, the perpetrator of the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai, is a registered member of the Supreme Court Bar Association who lives in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar area. Despite being 71 years old, Kishore only enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 2009, starting his legal practice at the age of 55. Court records indicate that Kishore was carrying membership cards from multiple bar associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association, Shahdara Bar Association, and the Bar Council of Delhi at the time of the incident.
The shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai was reportedly triggered by controversial remarks made during a hearing on the restoration of a beheaded idol of Lord Vishnu at the Khajuraho temple complex. When a petitioner sought Supreme Court intervention to reconstruct the idol, Chief Justice Gavai reportedly remarked, “Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation”. Speaking to news agency ANI, Kishore expressed that he was “hurt” by the Chief Justice Gavai’s comments and showed no regret for his actions, stating, “This was my reaction to his action… I am not fearful. I don’t regret what happened”.
Institutional Response and Legal Consequences
Bar Council Actions Against Perpetrator
The Bar Council of India (BCI) swiftly responded to the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai by ordering the immediate suspension of Advocate Rakesh Kishore. In a strongly worded order, the BCI stated, “On the basis of prima facie material, it appears that at about 11.35 am on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court of India, you, i.e. Advocate Rakesh Kishore, enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi, removed your sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings”.
The BCI has barred Kishore from “appearing, acting, pleading and practising in any court, tribunal or authority in India” and issued a show-cause notice asking why the suspension should not be made permanent. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) also terminated Kishore’s temporary membership following the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai. These disciplinary actions represent the strongest possible measures available to legal regulatory bodies in India, effectively ending Kishore’s legal career pending further proceedings.
Political and Judicial Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally contacted Chief Justice Gavai on the evening of the shoe attack, condemning the incident in the strongest terms. The Prime Minister posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice BR Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable”. Modi added that the incident “highlights his commitment to the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution”.
No formal complaint was lodged by the Supreme Court registry regarding the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai, as the Chief Justice instructed officials not to take punitive action against Kishore. The Delhi Police nevertheless questioned Kishore for several hours inside the court premises before releasing him, with his shoes later returned. This measured response demonstrates the judiciary’s commitment to restraint and constitutional values even in the face of unprecedented provocation.
Supreme Court Security Assessment and Reforms
Current Security Infrastructure Statistics
According to the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), India’s judicial system maintains a comprehensive database covering 18,735 district and subordinate courts, with over 32.19 crore orders and judgments accessible through the platform as of August 19, 2025. The Supreme Court joined the NJDG on September 14, 2023, enhancing transparency and case management capabilities. Despite these technological advances, the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai exposed vulnerabilities in physical security protocols within the apex court premises.
The Supreme Court had previously issued comprehensive security directives in August 2023 following multiple firing incidents in Delhi courts. The court observed that “safety and security of stakeholders in the judicial process is non-negotiable” and noted that “court premises in the national capital itself, in the past year or so, have witnessed at least three major incidents of gunfire”. These concerns about judicial security proved prescient given the subsequent shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai in 2025.
Enhanced Security Measures Implementation
Following the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai, two additional security personnel have been deployed outside Court No. 1, according to sources. The Supreme Court’s Security Committee, comprising Justice Surya Kant, Justice Vikram Nath, and Justice J.K. Maheshwari, is reviewing protocols to prevent similar incidents. The budget allocation for judicial technology integration includes ₹53.57 crore specifically earmarked for AI and blockchain technologies across High Courts in India, which could enhance security monitoring capabilities.
The incident has prompted discussions about implementing more stringent access controls and screening procedures for advocates entering Supreme Court premises. Current security measures include proximity cards issued to Supreme Court advocates, which Kishore used to gain access before launching the shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai. Legal experts suggest that the incident may accelerate adoption of advanced security technologies including biometric access controls and enhanced surveillance systems already recommended in the court’s 2023 security directives.
Closing Assessment
The shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai represents an unprecedented breach of Supreme Court security that tested the resilience of India’s judicial institutions. The Chief Justice Gavai’s measured response, describing the incident as a “forgotten chapter,” exemplifies the dignity and restraint expected from the highest judicial office. The swift institutional response through Bar Council suspensions and enhanced security measures demonstrates the legal system’s commitment to protecting judicial independence while maintaining constitutional values.
This incident serves as a watershed moment for judicial security in India, prompting comprehensive reviews of access protocols and security infrastructure. The shoe attack on Chief Justice Gavai, while shocking in its audacity, ultimately reinforced the judiciary’s commitment to maintaining decorum and continuing constitutional functions despite provocations. The measured response from both the Chief Justice Gavai and institutional authorities reflects the strength and maturity of India’s democratic institutions in handling unprecedented challenges to judicial authority.
