Chief Justice of India BR Gavai was targeted inside the Supreme Court premises on Monday when a lawyer attempted to throw his shoe at him during proceedings in Court No. 1.

The shocking incident, which unfolded around 11.35 am, triggered strong reactions across the legal fraternity and beyond.

The accused, identified as 72-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore, was swiftly detained by security personnel and handed over to the Delhi Police.

Despite the gravity of the act, he was released later after the Supreme Court registry decided not to press charges.

During police questioning, Kishore reportedly remained unapologetic, citing his anger over a recent Supreme Court order concerning the reinstallation of a Lord Vishnu idol at the Javari Temple in Khajuraho — part of the UNESCO World Heritage complex.

“I couldn’t sleep after that judgment,” Kishore told investigators. “The Almighty was asking me every night how I could rest after such an insult.”

The plea in question had sought the reconstruction and restoration of the deity’s idol at the ancient temple. However, the CJI-led bench declined to entertain the petition, saying the matter fell under the jurisdiction of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

Justice Gavai had also remarked in court that the petitioner should “ask the deity to do something.”That comment, Kishore said, deeply disturbed him. “It was an insult to our faith,” he reportedly told police.

Eyewitnesses said the elderly lawyer shouted “Sanatan ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan” (India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan Dharma) as he was escorted out by security staff.

Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) joint secretary Meenesh Dubey, who met Kishore shortly after the incident, said the attacker showed no remorse whatsoever. “He stood by his actions and said he was willing to go to jail,” Dubey told reporters.

Kishore also referenced another recent statement by the Chief Justice during a lecture in Mauritius, where Justice Gavai remarked that “India’s legal system functions under the rule of law, not the rule of the bulldozer.” Kishore reportedly said he was offended by those comments, too.

“My family is very unhappy with what I did. They cannot understand,” Kishore said. “But I’m ready to go to jail if needed.” Police sources confirmed that Kishore possessed a valid Bar Council ID and a temporary SCBA membership, which allowed him entry into the courtroom.

The Supreme Court has not yet issued an official statement on the incident.