Indian Chief Justice Comments on Social Media Reporting Following Courtroom Shoe Incident

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New Delhi:

On Tuesday, Chief Justice of India BR Gavai made a pointed remark about social media reporting, stating that "we don't know what will be reported on social media these days." This comment came just one day after an incident where a lawyer attempted to throw a shoe towards him during proceedings in the Supreme Court.

While hearing a case related to the All-India Judges Association, CJI Gavai told the arguing lawyer that in the current climate, "we don't know what will be reported and your client will be very offended."

He added in a lighter tone that Justice K Vinod Chandran, his fellow bench member, also wanted to express something but he suggested his colleague "keep it to my ears only."

These comments followed Monday's disruption when elderly lawyer Rajesh Kishore threw a shoe at the Chief Justice during a hearing. The projectile landed in front of the bench.

Displaying remarkable composure, Chief Justice Gavai continued with the proceedings uninterrupted. "I am the last person to be affected by such things. Please continue (the hearing)," he remarked.

Court security personnel quickly intervened and removed the lawyer from the courtroom.

As he was being escorted out, the lawyer was heard declaring, "India won't tolerate Sanatan's insult."

Following the incident, the Chief Justice instructed the registry to disregard the episode entirely, after which Delhi Police released the lawyer.

The shoe-throwing incident occurred against a backdrop of intense social media criticism directed at the Chief Justice over comments he made regarding Lord Vishnu. When declining to hear a public interest litigation seeking judicial intervention for reconstructing a damaged 7-foot idol of Lord Vishnu in Khajuraho, the Chief Justice reportedly said, "Go and ask the deity himself to do something."

He later clarified that his remarks had been misrepresented on social media platforms and that he intended no disrespect toward any religion. "I respect all religions...This happened on social media," the Chief Justice stated.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the Chief Justice's position, noting how reactions to events often become disproportionate on social media. "There is Newton's law, which says every action has an equal reaction, but now every action has a disproportionate social media reaction," he observed.