A Supreme Court lawyer has formally requested Attorney-General R. Venkataramani to approve criminal contempt proceedings against advocate Rakesh Kishore. Kishore allegedly threw what appeared to be a stack of papers at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai during a court hearing on October 6. The incident, where the advocate was reportedly shouting slogans about ‘Sanatan’ as he was escorted out, has stirred significant legal debate.
In a letter dated Wednesday, October 8, 2025, to the nation’s chief legal officer, advocate K.R. Subhash Chandran argued that Kishore’s actions ‘diminished the majesty’ of the Supreme Court. He further noted that the alleged offender demonstrated ‘no remorse’ for his actions, thereby intensifying the severity of his misconduct.
The incident quickly drew widespread attention. Mr. Chandran emphasized that this act clearly ‘scandalizes and lowers the authority of the Supreme Court by interfering and obstructing the administration of justice.’ He labeled it ‘the most contemptuous,’ stating that it ‘diminishes the majesty and authority of the court and defeats the Constitution of India.’
Furthermore, Chandran pointed out that the accused continued to make ‘derogatory and highly contemptuous remarks’ about the Supreme Court and the CJI across various media and social platforms, explicitly stating he had ‘no remorse’ for his behavior.
The incident itself unfolded on October 6 when, during a request for urgent listing by advocate Shivam Singh, Mr. Kishore hurled an object towards the judicial bench. Chief Justice Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran were visibly surprised but promptly maintained their composure, instructing Mr. Singh to proceed with the hearing.
Security personnel then escorted Mr. Kishore out of the courtroom as he chanted slogans related to ‘Sanatan’. Although briefly detained, he was released after the Supreme Court registry opted not to pursue charges. This public outburst followed a recent controversy surrounding the CJI’s comments about a Vishnu idol. Amid significant social media criticism, the Chief Justice had publicly clarified in open court his belief in all faiths and unwavering commitment to ‘true secularism.’
Following this shocking incident, the Bar Council of India (BCI) swiftly issued an interim suspension order against Mr. Kishore, a registered advocate with the Bar Council of Delhi. The order, signed by BCI chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra, highlighted violations of the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules concerning professional conduct and etiquette, which strictly mandate advocates to uphold dignity and respect in court. The BCI further noted that Mr. Kishore had allegedly removed his sports shoes and ‘attempted’ to throw them during the hearing.
Mr. Chandran’s plea to the Attorney-General urges him to consider these detailed facts and grant consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings under the Contempt of Courts Act, 1971. It is important to note that, as per Section 15 of the Act and Rule 3(c) of the Rules governing Supreme Court contempt proceedings (1975), private citizens must secure the Attorney-General’s prior approval before filing such petitions.
This is not the only such request; earlier, the founder of Mission Ambedkar had also sought the Attorney-General’s permission to initiate contempt proceedings against religious orator Aniruddhacharya (Aniruddh Ram Tiwari) and YouTuber Ajeet Bharati, alleging they incited the attempted attack on the CJI.