A dramatic incident unfolded in the Supreme Court on Monday when a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai during an ongoing hearing. As security personnel overpowered and escorted him out, the lawyer shouted, “India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma.”

Unfazed by the disruption, CJI Gavai maintained composure and directed the court to proceed with hearings without delay. “Don’t get distracted by all this. These things do not affect me. Continue with the hearing,” he told the courtroom, drawing attention for his calm response.

The incident comes weeks after the Chief Justice faced criticism for his controversial remark — “Go and ask the deity itself” — made during the hearing of a plea related to the restoration of a Vishnu idol in Madhya Pradesh.

The accused was identified as 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore, a member of the Bar Association since 2011. According to eyewitnesses, the shoe narrowly missed Justice K Vinod Chandran, to whom Kishore later apologised, saying the act was intended for the Chief Justice.

Supreme Court lawyer Rohit Pandey strongly condemned the episode, saying, “The act appears to have been in response to the Chief Justice’s deity remarks. I urge that strict action be taken against the accused.”

Chief Justice Gavai later convened a meeting with court officials, including the Secretary General and the security in-charge, to review security lapses inside the courtroom. However, in a surprising move, the Delhi Police released the accused within the court premises the same day.