PM Modi speaks to Chief Justice- condemns atttack on him
Following the attack on Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, PM Modi spoke him and condemned a lawyer’s attempt to throw a shoe at him. This was a dastardly attack on a legal persona of the highest Indian Court of Law.
Adding there’s no place for such reprehensible acts in our society.
The PM also lauded Chief Justice Gavai for maintaining calm “in the face of such a situation”. The PM condemned the attack on the Chief in the Supreme Court premises and said that the incident has “angered every Indian”.
It was indeed a breach of decorum, of an elderly lawyer hurling a shoe at the Chief Justice in the midst of a court proceeding. The shoe did not reach the bench, and the man was caught and escorted out by security personnel present in the court.
Chief Justice Gavai sitting on the bench with Justice K Vinod Chandran, remained unfazed amidst and following the shocking incident and asked court officials not to be distracted by it. These things do not affect him he told lawyers and continued with the proceedings.
The Prime Minister said that he appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai “in the face of such a situation”.
Adding further that it highlights his commitment to the values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution.
As per eyewitnesses, the man – identified as Rakesh Kishore through a proximity card usually issued to lawyers and clerks, approached the bench, removed his shoe and hurled it towards the judges. He was immediately caught and escorted out of the court. He was heard shouting, will not tolerate insults to Sanatan Dharma, as he was being taken away.
The Chief Justice asked authorities to let off Kishore with a warning.
Meanwhile the Delhi Police questioned the lawyer for three hours inside the Supreme Court and later allowed him to leave as no formal complaint was registered against him. They also returned his shoes to him and he has been suspended by Bar Council.
Hours after the unprecedented incident, the Bar Council of India ordered the immediate suspension of Kishore, saying his action was “inconsistent with the dignity of the court”.
The lawyer has now been barred from “appearing, acting, pleading and practising in any court, tribunal or authority in India”.
The top bar body has also issued a show-cause notice to the lawyer to explain, within 15 days from service of this order, why this action should not be continued and such further orders as deemed appropriate be passed.
The incident came a month following the Chief Justice’s remark amidst a hearing last month about the restoration of an idol of Vishnu in Madhya Pradesh’s Khajuraho.
The bench led by him dismissed the petition plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall the idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari temple. The temple is a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Khajuraho complex.
The ChiefJustice had said that this is purely publicity interest litigation…. Go and ask the deity himself to do something. If you are saying that you are a strong devotee of Lord Vishnu, then you pray and do some meditation.
His remarks had drawn ire on social media. Taking note of the criticism, he later said that he respects “all religions”.
News Edit KV Raman
