Justice MD Shah got a slipper-shock in morning, shoe flung at justice KS Jhaveri in evening.
In an incident unheard of in the recent past, two judges of Gujarat high court were assaulted by two litigants in a single day — Wednesday. The litigants, who were perhaps running out of patience because of the delay in delivery of justice, used their footwear to attack the judges.
In the first incident, Ramaji Thakor, a litigant in a criminal case, hurled a slipper at justice MD Shah in the open court around 11:45 am. Thakor was immediately overpowered by the lawyers present in the jam-packed courtroom and was whisked away. His petition had been dismissed by justice Shah earlier and he allegedly came to the court premises with the sole intension of attacking the judge.
The dust had hardly settled down when another similar incident took place on the court premises. In the evening, when justice KS Jhaveri was about to rise from court, Bhavanidas Bavaji, a litigant in a civil case, hurled his pair of shoes one by one at the judge. Bavaji was also overpowered by lawyers present in the courtroom and was handed over to security.
According to official sources, the slipper hurled by Thakor hit the chest of justice Shah.
In case of justice Jhaveri, the first shoe thrown by Bavaji didn't touch the judge while the second one brushed the shirt sleeves of the judge and flew off. Later, officials of the high court lodged two separate complaints at Sola police station. Subsequently, Sola police arrested Thakor and Bavaji. The police said the two litigants were frustrated because of the delay in getting justice.
Sola police senior inspector VK Jhala said, "Two complaints have been filed and the police are investigating the matter. The first incident occurred around 11:45 am in the court of justice MD Shah, while the second incident occurred in the court of justice KS Jhaveri around 4:55 pm.''
Confirming the incident, GR Udhwani, registrar-general of Gujarat high court, said: "Two separate incidents of shoe hurling took place in the high court. We will decide the future course of action after consulting the judges."
Advocate-general Kamal Trivedi and government pleader Prakash Jani rushed to meet justice Shah and justice Jhaveri and assured them of full support and security arrangement from the state government. They also expressed concerns over the incidents.
According to official sources, accused Thakor was facing a criminal case and his petition was pending before justice Shah.
His case was finally heard by the judge who was about to deliver the judgment. But all of a sudden, Thakor threw the slipper at justice Shah.
According to additional public prosecutor LB Dabhi, who represents the government in the court, Thakor's case was earlier rejected by the court. "It was not hearing his case. However, he entered the courtroom and hurled a slipper at justice Shah."
Bavaji was fighting a civil case regarding removal of his tea-stall by the local civil body. His case was not listed for Wednesday but he came to the court late in the afternoon and entered the courtroom. Then he suddenly threw his shoes at justice Jhaveri. During Bavaji's interrogation, he reportedly told the police that he was annoyed as his case had been lingering for the past 10 years.
(With inputs from Nikunj Soni)
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