Attack on CJI: AG nod for contempt action; SC says let incident die a natural death

The Supreme Court on Thursday observed that it was best not to waste time debating the recent attempted attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai by a lawyer.

A bench of justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi orally remarked that the incident should not be allowed to be monetised and instead be allowed to die a natural death.

The development took place during the mentioning of a plea seeking initiation of criminal contempt proceedings against advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to throw a shoe at CJI Gavai on October 6. In a related development, attorney general R Venkataramani granted consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Kishore.


Seeking an urgent hearing of the plea, Supreme Court Bar Association president Vikas Singh argued the incident cannot go unnoticed.

Solicitor general Tushar Mehta weighed in. Mehta said institutional integrity was at stake and that some action was needed.

The apex court bench, however, questioned whether it was prudent to keep the incident alive. "CJI has shown magnanimity and it shows that the institution is not affected as such," justice Kant orally remarked.