Delhi Police releases advocate who attempted to throw shoe at CJI after SC declines to press charges
New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Monday released 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore, who attempted to throw a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court, after the Court’s Registrar General declined to pursue legal action against him.
According to The Indian Express, the decision not to press charges led to Kishore’s immediate release from police custody. A white paper note recovered from his possession reportedly read: “Mera sandesh har sanatani ke liye hai... Sanatan Dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (“My message is for all followers of Hinduism… India will not tolerate disrespect to Sanatan Dharma”).
Earlier in the day, Kishore had attempted to hurl what appeared to be a sports shoe towards the CJI during open court proceedings. Witnesses said he shouted slogans defending “Sanatan Dharma” before being overpowered by security personnel and escorted out of the courtroom.
Reports suggest the advocate was agitated over remarks made by CJI Gavai while dismissing a petition seeking reconstruction of a Lord Vishnu idol at a Khajuraho temple. The Chief Justice later clarified that his comments were made within the context of the Archaeological Survey of India’s jurisdiction, reaffirming his respect for all religions.
The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) and the Supreme Court Officers and Employees Association (SCOARA) have condemned the incident, terming it a direct affront to the institution of the judiciary. Both bodies urged that contempt proceedings be considered against the advocate.
Meanwhile, the Bar Council of India (BCI) has issued an interim suspension order against Rakesh Kishore, barring him from practicing law until further notice.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also condemned the act, attributing it to misinformation circulating on social media, and praised the CJI’s composure during the disruption.
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Lebanon appoints new representative for talks with Israel, rejects linkage to Iran
Beirut: Lebanon’s has moved to underline its independent position in ongoing regional developments, amid attempts to link the country to the broader conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel.
President Joseph Aoun, while announcing the appointment of former US ambassador Simon Karam as Lebanon’s representative in talks with Israel, made it clear that Karam would be the sole representative for Lebanon and that there would be no substitute.
The move comes in response to what the Lebanese officials see as efforts by Iran to tie Lebanon’s situation to the wider regional conflict. Iran had indicated that there would be no ceasefire involving the US, Israel and Iran unless it also included a ceasefire in Lebanon.
Some groups, including Hezbollah and its supporters, had expressed support for linking the situations, citing concerns that the Lebanese government has limited leverage in negotiations with Israel. Lebanon is not formally a party to the conflict, and its army is considered weak.
However, others, including Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, have opposed this approach. They view Iran’s stance as an attempt to influence Lebanon’s internal affairs and see it as undermining the country’s sovereignty.
Officials backing the government’s position say the move is aimed at reaffirming Lebanon’s sovereignty and ensuring that decisions about peace and ceasefire within the country are not dictated externally.
They also see it as a safeguard, so that any breakdown in talks between the US, Israel and Iran does not automatically lead to renewed conflict in Lebanon.
