The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hailed Chief Justice of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai’s decision to forgive the lawyer who hurled a shoe at him inside the Supreme Court, calling it a remarkable act of dignity and restraint. AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj praised CJI B.R. Gavai for choosing not to pursue any action against the attacker, describing it as “a testament to his greatness.”
At the same time, the AAP warned that the incident sends a chilling signal to the judiciary. “If the man who threw a shoe at the CJI can walk free, what message does that send to the rest of the judges? Are other judges safe?” the AAP Chief asked, urging strong action against such individuals to protect the dignity and independence of India’s judiciary.
AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal took to ‘X’ and wrote: “Justice Gavai decided to leave the matter and not act against the person who tried to throw shoe at him. This is indeed his greatness. However, the whole incident has sent a chilling message to the entire judiciary. That if anyone can get away with throwing shoe at CJI, then what to talk of other judges. Are other judges safe?”
“The manner in which Justice Gavai is being mocked and threatened on social media with impunity by their supporters, this seems to be a pre planned and systematic attempt to browbeat and force entire judiciary into submission. The judiciary must take action against these hooligans. Lack of action against them will undermine the independence and effectiveness of judiciary,” wrote the AAP Chief.
“The man who attempted to throw the shoe and those threatening and mocking CJI MUST be given exemplary punishment so that no one in future dares to mess with judiciary,” the post concluded.
Meanwhile, AAP Delhi State President Saurabh Bharadwaj, supporting Arvind Kejriwal’s statement on X, said, “Arvind Kejriwal has rightly written that Justice Gavai decided to drop the matter and did not take action against the person who tried to throw a shoe at him. This truly reflects his greatness. However, this entire episode has sent a terrifying message to the whole judiciary. If someone can try to throw a shoe at the CJI and get away with it, then what will happen to other judges? Are other judges safe?”
Saurabh Bharadwaj further stated, “The way Justice Gavai is being mocked and threatened on social media by his supporters appears to be a deliberate and systematic attempt to intimidate and pressurise the entire judiciary. The judiciary must take strict action against these goons. Failure to act against them will weaken the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary. The person who attempted to throw the shoe, and those who threaten and mock the Chief Justice, must be given exemplary punishment so that no one dares to interfere with the judiciary in the future.”
Senior AAP leader and Punjab Prabhari Manish Sisodia also endorsed Arvind Kejriwal’s statement, warning that the judiciary’s safety and integrity were at stake. He said, “If those who attempted to throw a shoe at the CJI and those who threaten him on social media go unpunished today, then no judge will be safe tomorrow. Harsh, exemplary punishment for such organised attacks is essential; otherwise, both the dignity and independence of the judiciary will be endangered.”
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) emphasised that while Chief Justice Gavai’s decision to show mercy demonstrates his personal greatness, the judiciary and the government must ensure that such acts of intimidation do not go unchecked. The party reiterated its call for strict, exemplary punishment to safeguard the independence and authority of India’s judicial system.
