The Noida Police on Tuesday questioned independent journalist and social media influencer Ajeet Bharti over his comments on social media following an incident in which a lawyer attempted to hurl a shoe at Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai inside the Supreme Court on Monday.
The incident occurred when 71-year-old advocate Rakesh Kishore expressed his anger over the CJI’s remarks in a previous hearing related to the restoration of a Vishnu idol in Khajuraho. The act drew widespread condemnation from the legal community and political leaders alike.
Controversial Comments Spark Police Inquiry
According to India Today, Bharti, during one of his podcasts, described Justice Gavai as “a terrible judge who harbors anti-Hindu sentiments.” He further warned that “if judges continue to make such anti-Hindu remarks, what was attempted in the courtroom today could begin happening to them on the streets as well.”
Sharing a clip of the podcast on X (formerly Twitter), Bharti wrote in Hindi, “Those who think I am scared of your gang, make sure to watch today’s live! Gavai is a lousy, undeserving judge, and a contempt case should be filed against him.”
Police officials said Bharti was called for questioning at the Sector 58 Police Station and later taken to the DCP office at the 12/22 outpost.
“He was called for an inquiry regarding his recent post on X. He has not been arrested,” an officer clarified.
Bharti later confirmed on X that he was “fine” and had neither been arrested nor detained, stating that he was only summoned for questioning over one of his social media posts.
Bharti Claims Support From ‘System’
In subsequent posts, Bharti asserted that he had powerful backing, writing, “The government is ours; the system is ours.”
In another post, he added, “If the entire system were against me, I wouldn’t be out and about, having coffee, roasted almonds, and cashews. The entire system is with me — the system of our ideas.”
Police officials confirmed that further inquiry is underway.
Bharti, who has over a million followers on X and YouTube, has faced criticism for allegedly abusive, communal, and caste-based remarks on social media.
Activist Seeks Contempt Action
Meanwhile, activist Suraj Kumar Bauddh, founder of Mission Ambedkar, has written to Attorney General R. Venkataramani, seeking consent to initiate criminal contempt proceedings against Bharti and a religious orator for allegedly making objectionable and inflammatory statements on social media.
“These statements are aimed at provoking violence against the Hon’ble Chief Justice of India and other judges. The tone and tenor of such provocation are extremely dangerous, as these posts have gone viral and escalated tensions,” the letter alleged.
