Days after the attack on the Chief Justice of India (CJI) by an advocate, Sitanshu Mohan Dwibedi, Chairman of the Odisha State Bar Council, strongly condemned the incident.
On Thursday, the CJI criticized the advocate’s move to throw a shoe at Chief Justice Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai, stressing that no advocate is above the law.
While speaking to the media on Wednesday, Dwibedi stated, “The Odisha State Bar Council has condemned the issue. No advocate is above the law. The judiciary is the temple of justice, and the judge and the advocate are two sides of the same coin,” as reported by news agency ANI.
Dwibedi further highlighted that the Bar Council of India (BCI) has already taken disciplinary action in connection with the incident. He emphasized, “In a related case, the Bar Council of India has suspended the license of the concerned advocate and is initiating disciplinary proceedings,” according to ANI.
On the other hand, senior Congress leader and former Union Minister Chitna Mohan also strongly condemned the recent attack on CJI Gavai. He described it as an unprecedented and deeply distressing incident in the history of the country.
Demanding strict action against those responsible, Mohan argued that the attack sets a “bad precedent” and reflects the current condition of the Scheduled Castes in India.
Most political leaders have condemned the attack on the CJI.
The incident took place on Monday when Rakesh Kishore, a 71-year-old lawyer, entered Court Room 1 of the Supreme Court of India and attempted to throw an object at Chief Justice BR Gavai. He was promptly arrested by security guards and escorted out of the building.
According to sources, while being removed, Kishore stated, “Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan” (“Sanatan [Dharma] will not tolerate insult, India”).
Following the incident, the Bar Council of India ordered the immediate suspension of Kishore’s license to practice, after prima facie evidence showed that he removed his sports shoes and attempted to hurl them at the Chief Justice during proceedings in Court No. 1 at approximately 11:35 am.
(With inputs from ANI)
https://www.mid-day.com/news/india-news/article/odisha-bar-council-condemns-advocates-attack-on-cji-gavai-23597923