THE SUPREME COURT TODAY SIGNALLED its intent to move on from the recent shoe-throwing incident targeting Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, observing that there was little merit in keeping the episode alive when the Court had far more pressing matters to attend to.
A Bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi made the remarks after Supreme Court Bar Association (‘SCBA’) President Vikas Singh mentioned the matter, urging that a criminal contempt case be listed against advocate Rakesh Kishore, who threw a shoe at the CJI during court proceedings on October 6.
“This cannot simply pass without action. The person has shown no remorse. Consent from the Attorney General has already been granted for contempt proceedings. Social media is going wild over it,” Singh said, pressing for an early hearing.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the plea, calling the attack “a serious matter affecting institutional integrity.”
However, the Bench questioned whether it was prudent to keep revisiting an incident that the CJI himself had already put behind him. “The Chief Justice has shown magnanimity; it reflects that the institution is not shaken by this. Why should we waste more time when there are urgent cases of people awaiting bail or justice?” Justice Bagchi remarked.
He further cautioned against feeding social media outrage. “Algorithms are designed to thrive on hate, anger, and caste. The more we talk about this, the more it gets monetised. Let it die a natural death,” he said, adding that judicial composure in such situations earned greater respect than reactive measures.
Justice Kant echoed that sentiment, stating that the Court’s energy should not be diverted to “isolated acts of irresponsibility” when “hundreds of serious matters are waiting.”
The Bench also rejected suggestions for a “John Doe” order to curb contemptuous online commentary, noting that such an order would only provoke further reactions. “Our conduct, not blanket orders, brings respect. The CJI treated it as the act of one irresponsible individual. There’s no reason to keep reopening it,” Justice Bagchi said.
The incident occurred when Kishore hurled a shoe towards the dais where CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran were seated. The Bar Council of India subsequently suspended his licence. The act by Kishore followed controversy over the CJI’s earlier remark in a temple-related case that drew criticism from some quarters.
Emphasising that Indian traditions reject violence in any form, Justice Kant remarked, “Our religion never endorses violence. We should not glorify such behaviour.”
Concluding the discussion, the Bench observed that revisiting the issue would only give it “unnecessary oxygen,” noting wryly that “After the vacation maybe some other saleable items will come up," “.
As Vikas Singh persisted with the listing of the matter, Justice Kant said, “We understand your concern and respect it," adding “"Let us see what happens in a week and read more saleable items."
