Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday strongly condemned the attack on Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice B.R. Gavai inside the Supreme Court premisesThe incident, which occurred earlier in the day, has triggered widespread outrage across the nation. PM Modi said such behaviour is unacceptable in a civilized society and appreciated CJI for handling the situation with remarkable composure.

“Spoke to the Chief Justice of India, Justice B.R. Gavai Ji. The attack on him earlier today in the Supreme Court premises has angered every Indian. There is no place for such reprehensible acts in our society. It is utterly condemnable. I appreciated the calm displayed by Justice Gavai in the face of such a situation. It highlights his commitment to values of justice and strengthening the spirit of our Constitution,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

Several political leaders and members of the legal community also condemned the incident. The Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) issued a strong statement denouncing the behaviour of the advocate involved in the attack. The SCBA called the incident a serious violation of courtroom discipline and said such actions damage the dignity of the judiciary.

After the incident, the Chief Justice directed the Bar Council of Delhi to immediately suspend the advocate’s license and update his status on its rolls. The Bar Council was also asked to notify all courts and tribunals in Delhi about the suspension.

The Registry of the Supreme Court, along with the registries of all High Courts and District Courts, has been instructed to circulate this order to ensure everyone is informed. The Bar Council of India (BCI) said the suspension is an interim step and that full disciplinary proceedings will be carried out under legal procedures.

In its statement, the SCBA also cautioned against any attempts to weaken the relationship between judges and lawyers, saying both are essential pillars of the justice system. It urged all members of the legal fraternity to uphold constitutional values like secularism, equality, and the rule of law.

The SCBA also criticised certain media outlets for sensationalising the incident and spreading misinformation about the judiciary, especially regarding the Khajuraho case. It said such “predatory journalism” damages public trust and promotes unnecessary outrage.

The SCBA confirmed that the advocate involved only had temporary membership and assured that strict action will be taken. It emphasised that while freedom of speech is important, it must be used responsibly, especially by those serving in the legal profession.