Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta has sought the immediate removal of Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, alleging misuse of administrative powers, favouritism and other concerns in the functioning of the high court.
In three letters dated August 2, 10 and 17, addressed to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Mehta raised serious allegations against Justice Sharma. According to the letters, Mehta claimed that the acting chief justice had used his powers as master of the roster to selectively move cases to his own bench.
Justice Mehta also referred to complaints regarding Justice Sharma's judicial functioning, saying that they prima facie raised questions about his integrity. Among the concerns mentioned were allegations of corruption, nepotism and favouritism within the high court.
The Supreme Court judge further alleged that “rich and influential” litigants had received preferential treatment. He also claimed that some judges were threatened with transfers if they did not cooperate with the acting chief justice.
Justice Sharma was also accused of “vindictive” conduct by fellow judges, according to Mehta's letters. Another concern raised was what Mehta described as a “seriously skewed” institutional approach towards the Jodhpur Bench.
Justice Mehta additionally criticised the administration surrounding a three-day international conference held in Jaipur from July 31 to August 2. He claimed that almost all judges of the Rajasthan High Court had been nominated to attend the event, leaving the principal seat at Jodhpur without a functional court for two days.
Against this backdrop, Justice Mehta urged CJI Surya Kant to appoint a chief justice from another state and transfer Justice Sharma out of Rajasthan. He warned that continued inaction could be against the interests of the institution.
Justice Sharma's judicial career has included postings at multiple high courts. He was appointed a judge of the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016 and transferred to the Patna High Court in January 2022. His request to return to Rajasthan on health grounds was not accepted by the Supreme Court Collegium in March 2023, and he was instead transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The Collegium later recommended his repatriation to Rajasthan in May 2025, after which he became the acting chief justice.
The allegations made by Justice Mehta are serious but remain allegations and should not be treated as established findings unless formally determined through the appropriate process. The controversy has nevertheless raised questions about judicial administration, roster allocation and institutional functioning within the Rajasthan High Court.
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