Bengaluru: Former Bengaluru Police Commissioner and BJP leader Bhaskar Rao has issued an apology after facing severe backlash online for a social media post in which he appeared to admire lawyer Rakesh Kishore, who had hurled a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gawai.

The incident triggered widespread outrage across social media platforms, with users accusing Rao of endorsing an act of contempt against the country’s top judicial authority.

Tweet sparks controversy

Rao, responding to an account impersonating the lawyer, wrote:

“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 [sic].”

The response was directed at a post from the handle @RakeshKishore_l, which had written, “No regret, no sorrow, no repentance!” — referring to the shoe-throwing incident during court proceedings involving the Chief Justice.

The tweet quickly went viral, with many users condemning the former IPS officer for showing sympathy towards a criminal act that disrupted court proceedings. Critics labelled his comment as “irresponsible” and “disrespectful” coming from a former senior police official.

Rao issues apology after backlash

Following the backlash, Rao deleted the controversial tweet and issued a clarification, stating that his earlier message was misinterpreted.

“My reaction was one of aghast and shock that a person, despite being so highly educated, aged and experienced, [took] such an action knowing fully the consequences of a terribly and legally wrong act,” Rao said in his apology post.

“I have not insulted the Supreme Court, nor the Chief Justice, nor any community. If my tweet has angered or hurt anyone, I am sorry,” he added.

Rao emphasised that his intention was not to condone or justify the shoe-throwing incident but to express shock at the individual’s defiance despite understanding the consequences.

Political background of Bhaskar Rao

A 1990-batch IPS officer, Rao served in several high-profile policing roles, including as Commissioner of Police, Bengaluru City. In 2022, he resigned from the Indian Police Service and joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), citing his interest in public service and governance.

However, his political allegiance shifted within a year. In March 2023, Rao joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), praising it as “the only party that believes in upholding the tenets of Sanatana Dharma.”

In the 2023 Karnataka Assembly elections, Rao contested from the Chamarajpet constituency on a BJP ticket but lost to Congress candidate BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan by a margin of 53,953 votes.

The shoe-throwing incident

The controversy began when advocate Rakesh Kishore hurled a shoe at CJI BR Gawai during a court proceeding earlier this week. The act was immediately condemned across political and legal circles. Kishore was detained and may face charges of contempt of court, according to reports.

Kishore, who is also known for his strong religious stance, reportedly said he would not tolerate any “insult to Sanatan Dharma.” The lawyer’s act was widely seen as an assault on judicial decorum and has been criticised by both the Bar Council of India and the legal fraternity.

Social media reaction

Following Rao’s post, social media was flooded with reactions questioning his judgment and political maturity.

“For a former top cop to admire a criminal act is shocking,” one user wrote.
“This shows the dangerous glorification of vigilante behaviour,” another commented.

Some BJP supporters distanced themselves from his statement, while opposition supporters used the episode to criticise the ruling party.

Broader implications

The controversy highlights the sensitivity surrounding public figures’ social media conduct, especially in politically charged contexts. Legal experts also noted that such remarks, even if unintended, can influence public perception of the judiciary.

Political analysts said Rao’s apology was timely but questioned the initial lapse in judgment. “As a former IPS officer, he is expected to uphold the law. His comment, even if meant philosophically, sends the wrong signal,” said political commentator Dr. Sandeep Shastri.

Conclusion

While Rao’s apology appears to have contained the damage, the episode underscores the growing scrutiny faced by public figures on social media and the fine line between expressing opinions and appearing to endorse unlawful behaviour.

The case of Rakesh Kishore is still under review, with legal experts suggesting he could face contempt proceedings for his actions inside the courtroom.