It’s time to move on from the shoe-throwing incident; focus should be on pending cases: SC

The Supreme Court on Thursday indicated that it was not inclined to prolong discussions over the recent shoe-throwing incident targeting Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai, saying the judiciary must focus its attention on “more pressing matters” pending before it.

A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi made the observation when Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) president Vikas Singh mentioned the incident and sought early listing of a criminal-contempt case against advocate Rakesh Kishore, who had thrown a shoe at the CJI inside the courtroom on October 6.

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“This cannot go unaddressed. The person has shown no remorse. Consent from the Attorney General has already been obtained. Social media has gone berserk,” Singh said, urging an immediate hearing.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the request, calling it a “serious matter touching the integrity of the institution.”

The Bench, however, questioned the wisdom of repeatedly revisiting the episode. “The Chief Justice has shown magnanimity; it shows the institution is not shaken. Why should we spend more time on this when so many urgent matters—people awaiting bail or justice—need attention?” Justice Bagchi said.

He warned that keeping the issue alive would only amplify social media outrage. “Algorithms thrive on hate, anger, and caste. The more we discuss this, the more it gets monetised. Let it die a natural death,” he remarked, adding that calm judicial conduct earns greater respect than reactionary steps.

Justice Kant concurred, saying the court’s limited time should not be diverted by “isolated acts of irresponsibility.”

Rejecting suggestions for a blanket “John Doe” order to restrain contemptuous online commentary, the Bench said such directions would only fuel further debate. “Our conduct, not sweeping orders, brings respect. The CJI has treated it as an act of one irresponsible individual. There’s no reason to reopen it,” Justice Bagchi noted.

The incident occurred when Kishore hurled a shoe towards the dais where CJI Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran were seated. He was overpowered by security, and the Bar Council of India subsequently suspended his licence. His act reportedly stemmed from anger over remarks the CJI had made in an earlier temple-related case, which were later misrepresented on social media.

Emphasising that violence has no place in Indian tradition, Justice Kant said, “Our religion never endorses violence. We should not glorify such behaviour.”

Concluding the exchange, the Bench said continuing the discussion would only give the episode “unnecessary oxygen.” “After the vacation, there will be newer, more saleable controversies anyway,” Justice Bagchi quipped, as the court moved on to the next matter.