Punjab Police File FIRs Over Casteist Posts Targeting CJI BR Gavai
Punjab Police have registered multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) against several social media accounts for allegedly posting casteist and objectionable content targeting Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, a government spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday.
The action comes two days after an attempted attack on the CJI inside the Supreme Court, where a 71-year-old lawyer from Delhi, Rakesh Kishore, tried to throw a shoe at him.
Despite the attack, CJI BR Gavai chose not to file a case against the accused. However, social media has been flooded with offensive remarks and caste-based comments directed at the Chief Justice.
FIRs Registered Under SC/ST Act and BNS
According to a press note issued by the Punjab government, the police have registered several FIRs under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989, and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The statement said the posts were a “direct attempt to disturb peace and public order by exploiting caste and communal sentiments”, containing hate-filled and casteist expressions aimed at promoting disharmony and eroding respect for judicial institutions.
The spokesperson added that “numerous complaints were received from across various districts,” leading to action against over a hundred social media handles. The exact number of FIRs and posts has not yet been disclosed.
Cyber Cell Ordered to Remove Offensive Content
A senior Punjab Police official confirmed that the Cyber Cell has been instructed to coordinate with major social media platforms to remove the objectionable content immediately.
The official added, “We are taking strong and immediate action to ensure such divisive posts are taken down and the individuals responsible are held accountable under the law.”
Political Reactions
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which governs Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has taken a firm stand on the matter.
AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal publicly condemned those abusing the Chief Justice online, calling such behavior “unacceptable and deeply disrespectful toward the judiciary.”
Meanwhile, activist groups have urged the Attorney General of India to consider contempt-of-court proceedings against lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who has not faced criminal action yet.
Background: The Supreme Court Incident
The shoe-throwing incident took place earlier this week during court proceedings. The accused, Rakesh Kishore, a 71-year-old Delhi-based lawyer, reportedly acted out of personal frustration. The Chief Justice, however, displayed restraint and declined to press charges.
The episode has reignited conversations about security inside the Supreme Court and the growing misuse of social media platforms to spread hate and misinformation against public officials.
