Advocate Rakesh Kishore was attacked with slippers as he appeared before a Delhi court on Tuesday — reminiscent of a similar assault he had led against former CJI BR Gavai. The 71-year-old lawyer had hurled a shoe at the Chief Justice during a Supreme Court hearing in early October and claimed that he had “no regrets”. His sentiments had been “hurt” by comments the CJI made during a hearing for the restoration of a beheaded Lord Vishnu idol at Khajuraho.
“A young advocate, probably around 35 or 40 years old, attacked us with his slippers. Then we left from there. And they also said that they were punishing us for throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice of India. They also said that he was a Dalit, and that’s why they threw the shoe at him. Then we also chanted ‘Sanatan’ slogans.” Kishore told The Indian Express.
Kishore denied having sustained any injuries and also insisted that it was “all within the family” upon being asked whether he had filed a complaint with the police.
Shoe hurled at Chief Justice of India
Kishore had faced swift backlash after hurling a shoe at former Chief Justice BR Gavai amid Supreme Court proceedings in early October. The 71-year-old lawyer had approached the dais before removing his shoe and trying to throw it towards the Bench. Security officials had intervened while the then CJI remained wholly unfazed — asking lawyers to continue mentioning cases.
“Don’t get distracted by all this. We are not distracted. These things do not affect me,” Gavai had told the court.
Advocate Anas Tanwir (also present in the courtroom) later took to X with additional details — revealing that the attacker had Justice K Vinod Chandran, who was sitting alongside the CJI, and clarifying that the attempted attack was only meant for Gavai. Kishore was detained by the police and eventually released after the Supreme Court registry refused to press any charges against the septuagenarian.
‘Have no regrets’
The senior lawyer later told ANI that he was hurt by remarks the CJI made while dismissing a plea seeking restoration of the structure of Lord Vishnu in the Javari temple in Khajuraho.
“It is not that I was under the influence of a substance; it was my reaction to his action. I am not fearful and I have no regrets… I have not done anything, God made me do it,” Kishore had insisted.