Advocate Rakesh Kishore, 72, who sparked chaos during a hearing in Supreme Court with Chief Justice Of India (CJI) B.R. Gavai on the Bench earlier this week, is unknown in legal circles and had rarely been seen in courtrooms until the unsavoury incident.
His act in ‘defence’ of Sanatana Dharma on September 6 has led to suspension of his Bar membership and the right to practice, and prompted a Supreme Court lawyer to write to the Attorney General on Wednesday seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Mr. Kishore.
A native of Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Mr. Kishore’s father had served as District Inspector of Schools, a Class I officer who looks after education and administration in government schools. After completing his initial education in his home town, he moved to Banaras Hindu University, where he says he finished his MSc in medical entomology.
Those who know Mr. Kishore say he has worked as a consultant with the World Health Organization on projects related to vector-borne diseases for several years. He decided to become a lawyer at the age of 55 and took a membership at Delhi Bar Association.
“I haven’t seen him in the Supreme Court ever,” said Meenesh Dubey, joint secretary, Supreme Court Bar Association, who met Mr. Kishore when he was taken into police custody soon after attempting to attack the CJI and suspects it was a “publicity stunt”.
