Mallikarjun Kharge condemns attack attempt on CJI BR Gavai, calls it "unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent"

In a post on X, Kharge said the attack amounted to an assault on the dignity of the judiciary and the very principles of the rule of law.

"An attempt to attack the Hon'ble Chief Justice of India in the Supreme Court today is unprecedented, shameful and abhorrent. It is an attack on the dignity of our Judiciary and the rule of law," he wrote.

Kharge underlined that Justice Gavai, who rose to the country's highest judicial office "through merit, integrity, and perseverance," had broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution.

When a sitting Chief Justice who rose to the nation's highest judicial office through merit, integrity, and perseverance -- is targeted in such a manner, it sends a deeply disturbing message. It reflects an attempt to intimidate and humiliate a man who has broken social barriers to uphold the Constitution, the Congress chief said in the post.

The Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition further argued that the incident was symptomatic of how "hate, fanaticism and bigotry" had engulfed Indian society in the past decade.

"On behalf of the Indian National Congress, I condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms. The safety and security of our Judiciary is paramount. Let justice and reason prevail, not intimidation," he added further.

A lawyer on Monday entered Court Room 1 of the Supreme Court of India and attempted to throw an object at the Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai with the alleged intent to attack him.

However, the security personnel present at the scene intervened immediately and escorted him out. Presently, the attacker is being questioned by senior police officials, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) of New Delhi and the DCP of the Supreme Court.

As per sources, the attacker, while being escorted out by the security personnel, said "Sanatan ka apman nahi sahega Hindustan".

"The attacker was in full uniform, wearing a proximity card and was carrying a bag as well, along with a rolled up bundle of some papers", tweeted Advocate Anas Tanwir, who was present at the courtroom.

According to Tanwir, the attacker apologised to Justice K. Vinod Chandran, who was sitting alongside the CJI, clarifying that the attempted attack was only meant for CJI Gavai. Advocate Rohit Pandey, former Secretary of the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA), condemned the act and demanded action against the lawyer.

"It is a sad incident if a lawyer has attempted an assault inside the courtroom. I condemn it. I came to know that he was a member of the Bar, and he made this known after a comment on Lord Vishnu by the Honourable CJI. If it is true, then an action must be taken," Advocate Rohit Pandey told ANI. (ANI)