Rajasthan High Court acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has rejected allegations of corruption, nepotism, favouritism and maladministration levelled against him by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, calling the accusations “baseless” and driven by “animosity”.
In his first public response to the controversy, Justice Sharma said he had submitted his detailed response, along with evidence, to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant.
He urged the media, lawyers and others to exercise restraint and wait for the CJI and the appropriate institutional process to take its course.
Justice Sharma said “recent developments in the media and social media” had prompted him to issue the clarification.
He said he had “denied with evidence” the allegations made by Justice Mehta in letters to the CJI, describing them as “unfounded, false and factless”.
What are the allegations against Justice Sharma?
Justice Mehta, in three letters dated August 2, 10 and 17, had urged the CJI to appoint a chief justice from another high court to head the Rajasthan High Court and sought Justice Sharma’s transfer out of Rajasthan.
Among the allegations, Justice Mehta accused the acting chief justice of maladministration, corruption, nepotism and favouritism.
He also alleged that Justice Sharma had misused his powers as master of the roster by selectively moving cases to his own bench and had favoured “rich and influential” litigants.
Justice Mehta further raised concerns over administrative decisions at the high court, including matters relating to the functioning of its Jodhpur principal seat and a three-day conference held in Jaipur.
The allegations have not been established as findings against Justice Sharma.
Justice Sharma asks media, Bar to wait for CJI’s decision
Responding to the allegations, Justice Sharma said he had complete faith in the Indian judicial system.
He appealed to the media, members of the Bar and others to respect the principles of justice and refrain from drawing conclusions before the institutional process is completed.
Justice Sharma said he would appear before the media and present his side once the CJI gives him permission.
He added that he would explain his position publicly “at the right time”, subject to the CJI’s approval.
What did CJI Surya Kant say?
Justice Sharma’s response comes days after CJI Surya Kant stressed that allegations against a sitting judge cannot automatically be treated as established findings.
The CJI said the matter was being examined through the appropriate institutional mechanism and that Justice Sharma must be given a fair opportunity to respond.
“The fact that allegations have been made cannot by itself be treated as a finding against the judge,” CJI Kant said, according to Hindustan Times.
The observation comes as the judiciary deals with the unusual public dispute involving two sitting judges.
Rajasthan HC yet to get permanent chief justice
The controversy has unfolded while the Rajasthan High Court remains without a permanent chief justice, with Justice Sharma serving as acting chief justice.
On September 1, the Supreme Court collegium recommended Chhattisgarh High Court judge Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal as the next chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
The recommendation came amid protests by lawyers in Jaipur and Jodhpur demanding the appointment of a regular chief justice.
Justice Sharma has also opted out of judicial work until September 5 as the controversy surrounding the high court’s leadership continues.
The allegations, counter-response and institutional examination are now being watched closely as the Supreme Court considers the matter.
