A 71-year-old lawyer tried to hurl a shoe at CJI B R Gavai during court proceedings on Monday.
Prime Minister Modi condemned the act, calling it “reprehensible,” and lauded Gavai’s calm response.
The Bar Council of India suspended the lawyer’s licence; he carried a note referring to “Sanatan Dharma.”
Speaking to Chief Justice of India B R Gavai on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his disapproval of a lawyer's attempt to throw a shoe at him, saying the incident has infuriated many Indians.
"There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society," he said and praised Gavai for maintaining calm following the incident.
Modi posted on X, "Spoke to Chief Justice of India, Justice B R 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." He added, "I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution." In a shocking security breach, a 71-year-old lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe towards CJI Gavai in his courtroom in the Supreme Court on Monday, prompting the Bar Council of India to suspend his licence with immediate effect.
According to police sources, he was found in possession of a message that read, "Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan" (India will not accept insults to Sanatan Dharma).
The CJI, who remained unaffected by the event that occurred during the court proceedings, directed the court authorities and security guards within the courtroom to disregard it and to issue a warning to the negligent attorney, Rakesh Kishore.
Jharkhand's Chief Minister Hemant Soren too condemned the attack on the CJI, calling the incident as an "assault on the soul of democracy."
"I strongly condemn this cowardly act. The attack on CJI Gavai Ji is an assault on the soul of democracy," Soren posted on X.
With PTI inputs.
