Rajasthan HC acting chief justice denies misuse allegations
Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma rejects accusations of power misuse, describing them as baseless and linked to internal judgments. The controversy follows complaints forwarded to the Supreme Court Collegium and protests by Rajasthan lawyers.
Key takeaways
- Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma publicly denies allegations of misuse of powers as the case enters formal review.
- Allegations stem from letters by another judge and references to communications with the Supreme Court Collegium and the CJI.
- The Supreme Court Collegium recommended a new Chief Justice for the Rajasthan High Court just as Sharma began a period of leave, signaling a shift in leadership.
- Lawyer groups in Rajasthan have protested the situation, with court sit-ins in Jaipur and a strike in Jodhpur.
What Happened
The Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice, Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, publicly denied allegations that he misused his powers. He described the claims as baseless and tied to animosity from a fellow judge, noted as Honorable Judge Ranjish Vash in media connections, and said he has presented his position to the Supreme Court’s Justice Surya Kant. He asserted that he has refuted the allegations with evidence in letters from another judge, Sandeep Mehta, who accused Sharma of misconduct. Sharma added that he would disclose his case in the media when the Chief Justice of India (CJI) approves and time is right.
Allegations originated from letters sent in August to the CJI, on August 2, August 10 and August 17, with copies to the Supreme Court Collegium. Judge Mehta claimed there were multiple complaints about Sharma’s integrity and sought Sharma’s transfer to another High Court and the appointment of a new Chief Justice. The matter has intersected with administrative shifts at the Rajasthan HC, as the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Sanjay K. Agarwal for the post of Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court on August 31, a decision made within an hour of Sharma taking leave.
Additionally, Sharma’s schedule at the Jaipur Bench shows no sitting from September 1 to September 5. Protests by Rajasthan lawyers intensified earlier, with demonstrations outside Sharma’s court on August 31 in Jaipur and strikes announced by lawyers’ associations in Jodhpur through the coming Sunday to press for Sharma’s relief from his duties.
The reporting note identifies Hamza Khan as the correspondent covering Rajasthan’s governance, legal landscape, and social issues for The Indian Express.
Why It Matters
The dispute centers on leadership of the Rajasthan High Court during a period of internal scrutiny and judicial reshuffles, including an urgent collegium decision on the court’s top post. The public framing of allegations and the acting chief justice’s response may influence perceptions of judicial independence and procedural norms within the state judiciary. Protests and scheduled rosters suggest disruptions to court functioning at least in the short term, and the collegium’s interim choice could shape how the state’s judiciary handles governance and potential transfers or appointments.
Background
The controversy involves internal communications between judges and the Supreme Court Collegium, which houses senior judicial appointments oversight. Judge Sandeep Mehta reportedly wrote letters accusing Sharma of misuse of powers and requesting his transfer and the appointment of a new Chief Justice. A separate action in late August saw the Supreme Court Collegium recommending a successor, Sanjay K. Agarwal, to become Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, a move that followed Sharma going on leave. Protests by lawyers’ associations in Rajasthan have accompanied the developments, signaling tensions between the judiciary and its professional community.
Key Facts
- Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma is the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
- Allegations against Sharma were described as baseless by him; the claims were tied to letters from another judge, Sandeep Mehta, and comments attributed to an animosity reference to Ranjish Vash.
- Sharma said he submitted his position to the Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant and will present his case to the media when the CJI approves.
- Letters to the CJI on August 2, August 10, and August 17, with copies to the Supreme Court Collegium, contained accusations of ‘misuse of powers’ and requests for Sharma’s transfer and a new Chief Justice.
- On August 31, the Supreme Court Collegium recommended Sanjay K. Agarwal as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, within an hour of Sharma going on leave.
- The updated roster shows Sharma not holding any sitting from September 1 to September 5 at the Jaipur Bench.
- Lawyers’ associations in Rajasthan staged protests, including sloganeering outside Sharma’s court and a strike in Jodhpur through the upcoming Sunday.
- Hamza Khan is the correspondent reporting for The Indian Express on Rajasthan governance and the legal terrain.
What Happens Next
Official next steps include the CJI’s ongoing decision process, with Sharma indicating readiness to present his case publicly once approved. The Supreme Court Collegium’s recommendation for a new Chief Justice has already been issued, and the judiciary may implement roster changes or transfers in line with that recommendation. Ongoing protests and potential future court scheduling will shape how the Rajasthan High Court operates in the near term.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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