Courtroom Chaos: AG Urged to Sanction Contempt Against Advocate Rakesh Kishore
(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)
New Delhi, October 8 — A Supreme Court lawyer has formally petitioned the Attorney General of India to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Advocate Rakesh Kishore, who allegedly attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai during a court hearing.
“It is respectfully submitted that on the basis of prima facie material and video recordings of the security wing of Hon’ble Supreme Court, it appears that at about 11.35 a.m. on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, the contemnor namely Advocate Rakesh Kishore, enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi vide enrolment Nos. D/1647/2009, removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl it towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings with shouting slogans against Hon’ble Chief Justice of India, whereupon he was detained by security. This contemptuous act of the Contemnor was widely reported by the international, national and regional media and video footage of the contemptuous act of the Contemnor is available with the security wing of the Hon’ble Supreme Court and even in the public domain.”
Advocate Subhash Chandran KR submitted a letter invoking Section 15 of the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971, urging the Attorney General to grant consent for initiating contempt action against Kishore. The letter describes the incident as a grave act of misconduct, stating that shouting slogans and attempting to assault the CJI inside the courtroom constitutes a serious interference with the administration of justice and undermines the dignity of the Supreme Court.
Following the courtroom disruption, Kishore reportedly made contemptuous remarks during media interactions, showing no remorse and instead defending his actions. The letter argues that such behavior is a deliberate attempt to scandalize the judiciary and erode public trust in the institution.
“It is pertinent to mention that even after the incident of 6th October, the contemnor continued his derogatory and most contemptuous remarks against the Hon’ble Supreme Court and Hon’ble Chief Justice through various media and social media platforms, where he said that he feels ‘no remorse’ for his actions”
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation across legal and political circles. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), the Supreme Court Advocates-on-Record Association (SCAORA), and the Bar Council of India (BCI) have all denounced the act. In a swift response, the BCI suspended Kishore’s license to practice law.
The legal fraternity continues to express concern over the implications of such conduct on the sanctity of judicial proceedings and the rule of law.
