SC asks Centre, SCBA to suggest measures to prevent incidents like shoe hurl at CJI
The court also demanded a standard operating procedure for the media to cover such incidents.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate and SCBA Chairman Vikas Singh to advise it on issuing guidelines to deal with the matter.
“Solicitor General Tushar Mehta and senior advocate and SCBA chairman jointly state that they will submit joint recommendations recommending preventive measures to address such incidents and protocol to be followed for reporting and publicizing such incidents in future,” the CJI said. he said.
Waiving the procedural formality of notifying the Centre, the top court said the matter was not contentious and therefore a joint proposal could be made.
Earlier, the bench had expressed its reluctance to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against 71-year-old lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who tried to throw a shoe at the then CJI, and said the court would investigate whatever needs to be done.
The SCBA has been asked to submit its suggestions as the court seeks to formulate India-wide preventive guidelines. “Consider making three or four suggestions on how to prevent such incidents in court buildings and barrooms, etc. Please all make suggestions.
Judge Kant said in his statement on November 12, “We will see what needs to be done at the next date. We will also ask the Chief Public Prosecutor to submit his suggestions on this matter.” he said.
The bench was hearing SCBA’s plea to file a contempt case against advocate Kishore, who tried to throw a shoe at former CJI Gavai during court proceedings on October 6.
Kishore’s action led to the Bar Council of India (BCI) suspending his license with immediate effect.
Gavai, who did not remain indifferent during and after this unprecedented incident, asked the court officials and security personnel present in the courtroom to “ignore” the incident and release the erring lawyer with a warning.
The incident sparked widespread condemnation, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who also spoke to Gavai.
