The Delhi High Court has strongly condemned the recent incident in which a lawyer threw a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, terming it as an act that has deeply hurt not only the judiciary but also the entire legal fraternity and the nation’s sense of respect for judicial institutions. A division bench led by the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court addressed a petition that sought directions to remove videos of the incident from various social media platforms.
During the proceedings, the bench stated that the act of hurling a shoe at the Chief Justice went beyond a mere display of personal anger or frustration. It was described as an attack on the dignity and sanctity of the judicial institution, which forms the cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law. The court observed that while the right to free expression is protected, no one can be allowed to express dissent in a manner that undermines the authority and respect of constitutional institutions.
The High Court noted that the wide circulation of the video on social media platforms risked sensationalising the incident and further eroding public confidence in the justice system. The bench emphasised that such actions should not be glorified or turned into public spectacles, as doing so would only encourage disrespect towards the judiciary. The judges remarked that every member of the legal profession shares a collective duty to uphold the dignity of the courts and that any act violating this obligation must be condemned unequivocally.
The court further observed that the Union government was reportedly exploring the possibility of issuing general directions or “John Doe” orders to prevent the continued circulation of such videos and to ensure that similar content is not uploaded in the future. However, the bench noted that the Supreme Court, being the institution directly affected, might be the appropriate forum to frame comprehensive guidelines on the matter. In light of this, the Delhi High Court decided to keep the writ petition pending while awaiting further clarity or possible directives from the apex court.
The bench also highlighted that the incident serves as a reminder of the need for greater security and decorum within court premises. It stressed that respect for judicial authority is essential to maintaining the rule of law, and any physical or symbolic attack on judges threatens the fabric of justice. The matter has been listed for further hearing, with the court making it clear that such behaviour cannot be tolerated under any circumstance and that remedial measures must be considered to safeguard the integrity of judicial institutions.
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