Courts Not for Propagating Religious Ideas: Mukul Rohatgi

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 8th Oct: Former Attorney-General of India and senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi has strongly condemned the incident inside the Supreme Court where a lawyer allegedly hurled a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, calling it a “gross act of contempt” and asserting that “courts of law are not meant to propagate religious ideas.”

Speaking to NDTV, Rohatgi described the act as “unfortunate,” particularly because it was committed by a lawyer and not a disgruntled litigant. “It seems he is either a religious fanatic carried away by some observation made by the Chief Justice a month ago, or he is using the court as a political or religious platform,” Rohatgi said.

He added that the lawyer reportedly shouted remarks defending Sanatan Dharma as he was being escorted out, terming such behaviour “completely unacceptable” in a court of law. “It is the grossest form of criminal contempt as defined by law. It attracts a punishment of six months,” Rohatgi asserted.

Recalling similar incidents in the past, Rohatgi said such episodes occur “once every 20 years,” citing a past attempt by an individual to attack a Supreme Court judge with a knife. He emphasized the need for stronger vigilance and tighter courtroom security.

Commenting on the Chief Justice’s decision not to take punitive action, Rohatgi said, “There should have been exemplary punishment, but the Chief Justice’s forgiveness reflects maturity.”

Congress MP and senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi also condemned the attack, saying it “strikes at the very foundation of the judiciary.” Singhvi stressed that the act must be “condemned unequivocally and without ideology,” as it undermines the institution that represents the third pillar of democracy.

“For a lawyer, it’s inexcusable,” Singhvi added. “Lawyers must never identify with causes beyond their professional obligations.”

The accused lawyer, identified as Rakesh Kishore, was swiftly detained by security personnel and later suspended by the Bar Council of India (BCI). Justifying his act, Kishore claimed he was “hurt” by the Chief Justice’s remarks in a previous hearing related to a temple restoration case, saying, “I did not do it; God did. This was the Almighty’s order.”