Rao’s open endorsement of violence against the country’s highest judicial officer marks a sharp departure from his decades-long career as a police officer sworn to uphold the law.
Published Oct 07, 2025 | 10:59 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 07, 2025 | 11:04 PM
Bhaskar Rao
Synopsis: Former Bengaluru Commissioner Bhaskar Rao has publicly praised Delhi-based lawyer Rakesh Kishore for throwing a shoe at the Chief Justice of India, BR Gavai, describing it as a ‘courageous’ act. Rao’s endorsement marks a striking departure from his decades-long career as an IPS officer, sworn to uphold the law.
In a shocking stance for a former IPS officer, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Bhaskar Rao on Tuesday, 7 October openly praised Rakesh Kishore, the Delhi-based lawyer who threw a shoe at Chief Justice of India BR Gavai on Monday.
In response to a news report of the 71-year-old lawyer’s prompt suspension by the Bar Council following the attack, a X account pretending to be Kishore had on Monday evening posted: “No regret, no sorrow, no repentance!”
A day later, Bhaskar Rao wrote in response: “Even if it is legally and terribly wrong, I admire your courage, at your age, to take a stand and live by it, irrespective of consequences.”
Rao’s open endorsement of violence against the country’s highest judicial officer marks a sharp departure from his decades-long career as an IPS officer, sworn to uphold the law.
The former Commissioner of Bengaluru City Police has also served as Additional Director General of Police in the Karnataka State Reserve Police. After retiring in 2022, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party. Within 11 months, he moved to the BJP.
Even if it is Legally & Terribly Wrong, I admire your courage, at your age, to take a stand and live by it, irrespective of Consequences 🙏
— Bhaskar Rao (@Nimmabhaskar22) October 7, 2025
A resident of Delhi’s Mayur Vihar and a member of the Supreme Court Bar Association, Kishore was reportedly upset with the CJI’s remarks during a recent hearing on the restoration of a Lord Vishnu idol at the Khajuraho Temple complex in Madhya Pradesh.
He was immediately detained by security personnel. While being escorted out, he allegedly shouted: “Sanatan dharma ka apmaan nahi sahega Hindustan (India will not tolerate the insult of Sanatan dharma).”
Delhi police detained Kishore, questioned him for three hours, and later released him the same day without filing a criminal case, after the Supreme Court office reportedly asked for his release.
The Bar Council of India promptly suspended him from practice, barring him from appearing “in all courts, tribunals, and other authorities of India with immediate effect.” That has been the only formal repercussion so far.
Kishore has remained unapologetic in interviews with national media. “I was hurt… I was not inebriated, this was my reaction to his action… I am not fearful. I don’t regret what happened,” he told ANI.
He added: “A PIL was filed in the Court of CJI on 16th Sept. The CJI mocked it and said – go and pray to the idol and tell it to restore its own head… When Nupur Sharma’s matter came up before the Court, the Court said that she vitiated the atmosphere… When a matter related to our Sanatan Dharma comes up, SC passes such orders. Don’t provide relief to the petitioner, but don’t mock him either… I was hurt… I was not inebriated; this was my reaction to his action… I am not fearful. I don’t regret what happened.”
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
