Chandigarh: The Punjab Police have registered multiple FIRs across various districts over allegedly casteist and inflammatory social media posts targeting Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, the state government announced on Wednesday. The move comes two days after a Delhi-based lawyer attempted to attack the CJI with a shoe inside the Supreme Court.
The state government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), said the crackdown followed several complaints about objectionable posts seeking to exploit caste and communal sentiments.
“The Punjab Police today registered several FIRs after receipt of numerous complaints in various districts of the state on over a hundred social media handles,” a government spokesperson said, adding that the content amounted to a “direct attempt to disturb peace and public order.”
The posts, the government statement said, contained “casteist and hate-filled expressions intended to promote communal disharmony, disturb public order and erode respect for judicial institutions.”
FIRs Under Atrocities Act and New Criminal Code
The FIRs have been filed under relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, along with sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the new criminal code that replaced the IPC. Officials confirmed that the cases were registered at various police stations based on complaints disclosing the commission of cognisable offences.
A senior Punjab Police officer said that the Cyber Cell has been directed to take up the issue with social media platforms to remove the objectionable content immediately. “Further investigations are being conducted, and necessary legal action will follow,” the officer said.
AAP and Kejriwal Condemn Online Abuse
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party, which governs Punjab, has taken a strong stance against the online abuse directed at the CJI.
Party chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemned those continuing to target Justice Gavai, calling for restraint and respect toward judicial institutions.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has also backed the police action, stressing that the state will not tolerate attempts to “vitiate social harmony through caste-based or communal remarks.”
Background: Shoe-Throwing Incident at Supreme Court
The controversy began after Rakesh Kishore, a 71-year-old Delhi-based lawyer, attempted to hurl a shoe at CJI BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court earlier this week. The CJI, however, chose not to press charges, and no arrest was made.
An activist has since sought the Attorney General’s consent to initiate contempt of court proceedings against Kishore for his actions and remarks.
The Punjab government’s prompt action underscores growing concerns over hate speech and social media abuse targeting individuals in constitutional positions.
Punjab Police Files Multiple FIRs Over Casteist Posts Targeting CJI BR Gavai
