A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, which had earlier expressed reluctance to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore, said the court would consider necessary measures to prevent such incidents
The bench was hearing a plea by the Supreme Court Bar Association seeking contempt action against advocate Rakesh Kishore. File pic
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Attorney General (AG) and the apex court’s bar association to provide suggestions to prevent incidents such as the attempted shoe hurling at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on court premises, news agency PTI reported.
A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, which had earlier expressed reluctance to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore, said the court would consider necessary measures to prevent such incidents.
Justice Kant directed counsels representing the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) to provide their suggestions, stating the court aims to formulate pan-India preventive guidelines, PTI reported.
“Just think of giving three-four suggestions on how to prevent such incidents in places like court premises and bar rooms, etc. All of you please give suggestions. Whatever requires to be done, we will see on the next date. We will request the Attorney General also to give his suggestions in this regard,” Justice Kant said while adjourning the matter.
The bench was hearing a plea by the SCBA seeking contempt action against advocate Kishore, who attempted to hurl a shoe at the CJI on October 6 during court proceedings, PTI reported. On October 27, the apex court had refused to initiate contempt action against him but said it would consider laying down guidelines to prevent similar incidents.
The top court had noted that shouting slogans in court and hurling shoes are clear cases of contempt of court, but whether to proceed depends on the judge concerned. It had added that issuing a contempt notice would give undue importance to the errant lawyer and prolong attention on the incident, which it suggested should be allowed to fade naturally.
Observing that Kishore’s conduct “amounted to serious and grave criminal contempt which cannot be pardoned,” the court deliberated whether to exercise its jurisdiction when the CJI had already shown leniency.
On October 16, the court cautioned that the right to free speech and expression cannot come at the cost of others’ dignity and integrity, warning about the dangers of “unregulated” social media and describing incidents like the one in the top court as “money-spinning ventures.”
Following the act, the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspended Kishore’s licence with immediate effect. During the courtroom incident, the CJI remained unfazed, asking court officials and security personnel to “just ignore” the act and to let the lawyer off with a warning.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who spoke to the CJI and expressed his disapproval of the act.
(With PTI inputs)
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