The attempted shoe attack on Chief Justice of India B R Gavai earlier this week is now regarded as a closed chapter, the CJI said on Thursday, downplaying the unprecedented incident.
On October 6, a 71-year-old lawyer, Rakesh Kishore, tried to hurl his shoe at Gavai in court, an act that drew widespread condemnation from the legal community. Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran described themselves as “very shocked” by the episode.
"My learned brother (Justice Chandran) and I were very shocked with what happened on Monday; for us it is a forgotten chapter," Gavai said while presiding over a batch of pleas seeking review and modification of the Vanashakti judgement, which bars retrospective environmental clearances for projects violating norms.
Also read: Won’t affect me: CJI Gavai after shoe hurled during SC hearing
Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, sitting on the bench, differed on the handling of the matter. "I have my own views on this, he is the CJI, it is not a matter of joke!" Bhuyan said, describing the attack as "an affront to the Supreme Court" and arguing that appropriate action should have been taken.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta termed the act “unpardonable” and lauded the CJI for his magnanimity and “majesty.” Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, present in court, instructed senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan to continue with the proceedings without further discussion of the incident.
Gavai reiterated his stance, "For us it is a forgotten chapter," and the hearing continued.
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