SC Judge Seeks Rajasthan HC Chief Justice Change
Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta has urged Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to appoint a regular Chief Justice from another High Court to lead the Rajasthan High Court, raising serious allegations against its Acting Chief Justice, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. The allegations were made in a series of letters and have not been independently established.
Justice Sandeep Mehta Seeks Rajasthan HC Leadership Change
Justice Mehta wrote three letters to the CJI dated August 2, August 10 and August 17, 2026, seeking the immediate replacement of Justice Sharma. He alleged that complaints about Sharma’s judicial functioning had raised concerns about his integrity and accused him of exercising administrative powers in a manner unbecoming of the head of a High Court.
Justice Mehta also alleged that some judges had complained about threats of punitive action and claimed that Sharma misused his position in administrative and judicial matters.
Allegations of Favouritism and Misuse of Powers
In his correspondence, Justice Mehta referred to what he described as instances of favouritism towards certain lawyers and parties, along with alleged misuse of roster powers and questionable case listings.
He also raised allegations concerning appointments to Permanent Lok Adalats, citing complaints that some individuals appointed to such positions had personal or familial connections with people associated with Justice Sharma. These claims remain allegations and have not been adjudicated.
CJI Surya Kant Asked to Act
Justice Mehta questioned why Justice Sharma had continued as Acting Chief Justice for several months and urged the Supreme Court Collegium to appoint a regular Chief Justice from another state and transfer Sharma out of Rajasthan.
Justice Sharma is due to retire next month. No final decision by the Collegium on Justice Mehta’s request has been announced, and no response from Justice Sharma to the allegations was available at the time of publication.
