SCBA Condemns 'Predatory Journalism' Which Amplified CJI's 'Balanced Observations'; BCI Suspends Lawyer Who Tried To Hurl Shoe At CJI

After the incident where a Lawyer hurled documents towards Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and tried to hurl shoe towards the Bench during proceedings in the Supreme Court, the Supreme Court Bar Association has condemned the act, while criticzing "predatory journalism" which amplified misrepresented narratives on social media, and portrayed the Chief Justice B.R Gavai’s "balanced observations" in the Khajuraho case as being disrespectful to religious sentiments.

In a Resolution passed by the Executive Committee of the SCBA, the SCBA expressed shock, and condemned the act committed by the Advocate in the courtroom of the Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai.

In a parallel move, the Bar Council of India has suspended Advocate Rakesh Kishore from practice with immediate effect for violating the Rules on Professional Conduct and Etiquette.

“This incident, reportedly stemming from a misguided backlash against the Hon'ble Chief Justice's judicious observations in the Khajuraho Vishnu Idol Restoration matter, where His Lordship emphasized respect for all religions and clarified his remarks amid social media distortions, cannot be tolerated. It constitutes a direct assault on judicial independence, violates constitutional values of decorum and discipline, and gravely undermines public confidence in the justice delivery system”, SCBA stated.

SCBA underscored that the Bar and the Bench are twо indispensable pillars of the justice delivery system, bound together by mutual respect and a shared constitutional responsibility and said, “Such conduct is a disgrace to the noble legal profession and amounts to a direct assault on the dignity, independence, and sanctity of the Supreme Court of India. Any attempt to intimidate or insult a sitting Judge is not only criminal in nature but also a betrayal of the solemn oath every advocate takes to uphold the majesty of law and the decorum of the Court.”

Pertinently, while hearing a plea seeking directions to reconstruct and reinstall a seven-foot idol of Lord Vishnu at the Javari Temple, Khajuraho temple complex, the CJI’s remark turned into a controversial issue. Later, the CJI clarified that he believed and respected all religions.

In the light of the above, the SCBA condemned the role of certain sections of the media in exacerbating the said incident through irresponsible, sensationalized reporting and deliberate distortion of judicial remarks. SCBA emphasised that the media has recklessly fueled public outrage, incited vigilante reactions, and undermined the judiciary's authority for the sake of visibility and sensationalism.

It was also stated, “Such predatory journalism, devoid of ethical restraint, betrays the principles of fair reporting and endangers the rule of law by turning courtrooms into arenas for mob-driven spectacle.” SCBA asserted that freedom of speech and expression cannot serve as a licence to malign constitutional institutions or erode the public's faith in the justice system.

Click here to read/download Resolution