New Delhi, August 26: Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court has urged Chief Justice of India (CJI) Justice D.Y. Chandrachud to appoint a regular Chief Justice for the Rajasthan High Court from another High Court. He has raised multiple allegations against the acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court, Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
According to a prominent legal portal, Live Law, Justice Mehta has written three letters on August 2, 10, and 17, demanding the immediate removal of Justice Sharma. Allegations include the misuse of administrative powers, manipulation of case listings, and bias towards certain lawyers and parties.
Justice Mehta, who was promoted from the Rajasthan High Court to the Supreme Court, has reportedly sought approval from the CJI multiple times for the appointment of a new Chief Justice from another state. He warned that failure to do so would be “entirely against the interests of the institution.”
In one letter, Justice Mehta stated, “I repeatedly request you to decide on appointing a Chief Justice from another state for the Rajasthan High Court to prevent this unfortunate situation. Ignoring this request is entirely against the interests of the institution.”
In his August 2 letter, Justice Mehta mentioned his visits to Rajasthan, claiming that several judges from the Rajasthan High Court expressed their dissatisfaction with Justice Sharma’s alleged behavior. He accused Justice Sharma of threatening his fellow judges with retaliatory actions, such as transfers.
Justice Mehta criticized the judicial and administrative conduct of the acting Chief Justice, asserting that it reflects a “complete lack of leadership qualities.”
In his August 10 letter, Justice Mehta cited several instances of alleged bias towards certain lawyers and parties, questioning Justice Sharma’s use of roster and administrative powers. He referenced an order issued in a criminal case, suggesting that the handling of the matter indicated bias towards specific parties. Justice Mehta concluded that these instances collectively indicate “the misuse of powers by the acting Chief Justice.”
In his August 17 letter, Justice Mehta stated that he had previously informed the CJI about Justice Sharma’s alleged “gross mismanagement” and “seriously questionable activities,” questioning why he was allowed to continue as acting Chief Justice.
The letter also referenced information received from a current judge of the Rajasthan High Court regarding alleged “retaliatory actions” taken by Justice Sharma against the judge’s wife, who is a senior official in the district judiciary.
Justice Mehta expressed grave concern that despite such retaliatory behavior, Justice S.P. Sharma remains in a significant position within the High Court.
These allegations were part of a separate complaint submitted on July 25, 2026, by lawyer Pooja Tripathi to Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath, with copies sent to Justice Mehta and others.
The complaint accused Justice Sharma of misusing his official position during appointments in permanent Lok Adalats in Jaipur and Ajmer, mentioning alleged familial or close personal ties with some of the appointed individuals. It also claimed that a mediator appointed for Jaipur Metro Line 1 was a childhood friend of Justice Sharma and the father-in-law of his daughter.
Additionally, the complaint alleged that Justice Sharma had recommended four female lawyers for promotion in the High Court, despite them not actively practicing law and having connections to senior lawyers or retired judges close to him.
Justice Mehta urged the Supreme Court Collegium to take prompt action and transfer Justice Sharma out of Rajasthan.
He wrote, “Therefore, my humble request is that the Supreme Court Collegium convenes as soon as possible to ensure the appointment of a regular Chief Justice for the Rajasthan High Court and to transfer Justice S.P. Sharma out of the state in light of his misconduct.”
Media reports indicate that copies of Justice Mehta’s letters were also sent to other members of the Supreme Court Collegium and the President of India.
Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma was appointed as a judge of the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016 and later worked in the Patna High Court after a transfer. He returned to the Rajasthan High Court and was appointed acting Chief Justice on September 28, 2025.
According to available judicial records, Justice Sharma is set to retire on September 26, 2026, making Justice Mehta’s request for a regular Chief Justice appointment particularly significant in light of the allegations raised.
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