Senior Lawyer Allegedly Attempts to Throw Shoe at Chief Justice During Hearing

PTI, New Delhi, October 6, 2025 :  In a serious breach of courtroom decorum, a 71-year-old lawyer allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) D.Y. Chandrachud during court proceedings on Monday.

The CJI, however, remained unfazed. “Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” he said and continued hearing the mentionings.

The incident occurred while a bench comprising the CJI and Justice K. Vinod Chandran was hearing lawyers’ cases. The lawyer, later identified as Rakesh Kishor of Mayur Vihar, approached the dais, removed his shoe, and attempted to throw it at the judges. Security personnel quickly intervened and escorted him out of the courtroom.

As he was being taken away, Kishor reportedly shouted slogans referring to religious sentiments. Police are coordinating with the Supreme Court Registrar General and are investigating the motive behind the act.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta condemned the incident, calling it “a result of misinformation and a bid for cheap publicity.” He added, “The CJI’s magnanimous response should not be mistaken as institutional weakness.”

Senior advocate Indira Jaising said, “This calls for a thorough investigation. It is an attack not just on the CJI but on the institution itself.”

The incident may be linked to the CJI's remarks last month during a plea related to reinstalling a Vishnu idol in the Khajuraho temple complex, which the court had dismissed as “publicity interest litigation.”