New Delhi, October 6, 2025: In a swift and decisive response to an unprecedented incident in the Supreme Court, the Bar Council of India (BCI) on Monday ordered the immediate suspension of advocate Rakesh Kishore (71) for allegedly attempting to hurl a shoe towards the Chief Justice of India (CJI) B. R. Gavai during ongoing court proceedings.
The shocking incident unfolded around 11:35 am in Courtroom No. 1. According to the BCI’s interim order, Kishore “removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings,” before he was immediately detained by court security.
BCI Cites Violation of Professional Dignity
Issuing the suspension order, BCI chairperson and senior advocate Manan Kumar Mishra condemned the action, stating it was “prima facie inconsistent with the dignity of the court” and a “clear violation of the professional conduct rules prescribed under the Advocates Act, 1961 and Bar Council of India Rules.”
The BCI’s order detailed the grounds for the immediate suspension: “On the basis of prima facie material, it appears that at about 11.35 am on 6 October 2025, in Court No. 1 of the Supreme Court of India, you i.e. Advocate Rakesh Kishore, enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi… removed your sports shoes and attempted to hurl them towards the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India during ongoing proceedings, whereupon you were detained by security.”
It concluded that the lawyer’s conduct was “on the face of the record, inconsistent” with the rules and the dignity of the court.
Mandatory Debarment and Disciplinary Action
The suspension is interim and non-negotiable. The BCI order stipulated that with immediate effect:
- Advocate Rakesh Kishore is suspended from practice.
- He is debarred from “appearing, acting, pleading or practising in any court, tribunal or authority in India” during the period of suspension.
- Disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against the lawyer in accordance with the law.
- A show cause notice has been issued, requiring him to provide an explanation within 15 days from the service of the order, detailing why the suspension should not be continued and what further orders should be passed.
Widespread Circulation of the Order
To ensure full compliance, the BCI issued comprehensive directives for the circulation and implementation of the suspension:
- The Bar Council of Delhi must ensure immediate compliance, including updating the advocate’s status on its rolls and notifying all courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction.
- The Registries of the Supreme Court, all High Courts, and all District Courts must circulate the order to filing and appearance counters and all concerned Bar Associations, including the Supreme Court Bar Association.
- Any identity card, proximity pass or access permission issued by any court or bar association to Kishore is rendered inoperative.
- The advocate is further asked to file an affidavit of compliance physically with the BCI within 48 hours of being served the order, which will be done through the Bar Council of Delhi.