NEW DELHI, AUGUST 26: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has said that the Supreme Court Collegium is examining concerns raised by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta regarding the functioning of Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
The CJI’s remarks came shortly after a report by Bar & Bench highlighted a series of communications written by Justice Mehta, in which he urged the CJI to take immediate steps to appoint a Chief Justice from another State to head the Rajasthan High Court.
Importantly, CJI Surya Kant also stressed that allegations against a judge cannot be treated as established findings unless they are duly examined and determined through the appropriate institutional process.
Justice Mehta Writes to CJI, Seeks Immediate Intervention
Justice Mehta is understood to have written letters dated August 2, August 10 and August 17, raising concerns over the administrative functioning of the Rajasthan High Court and seeking the appointment of a Chief Justice from outside the State.
According to the reported contents of the communications, Justice Mehta raised allegations concerning case listings, exercise of administrative authority and decisions allegedly favouring influential or wealthy litigants.
The allegations, however, remain unsubstantiated claims and have not been established as judicial findings.
In his August 2 communication, Justice Mehta reportedly stated that several judges of the Rajasthan High Court had conveyed concerns to him regarding the conduct of Justice Sharma.
He also alleged that Justice Sharma had threatened fellow judges with possible administrative consequences, including transfer, while allegedly claiming proximity to the Chief Justice of India.
Case Listings and Udaipur Land Dispute Cited
Justice Mehta’s communications reportedly referred to certain Division Bench orders as examples of what he considered problematic aspects of the High Court’s administrative and judicial functioning.
One of the issues reportedly concerns a batch of appeals involving valuable land in Udaipur, which were allegedly listed before a Bench headed by Justice Sharma at the Jaipur seat.
Justice Mehta reportedly questioned the listing arrangement, pointing out that Justice Sharma had earlier held that matters pertaining to the Principal Bench at Jodhpur could not be shifted to Jaipur.
Concerns Raised Over Conduct Towards Another Judge
In his August 17 communication, Justice Mehta reportedly referred to concerns allegedly raised by sitting Rajasthan High Court judge Justice Uma Shankar Vyas.
According to the letter, Justice Vyas had allegedly complained about what he considered vindictive conduct by Justice Sharma towards his wife, who is a senior officer in the district judiciary.
Justice Mehta’s letter also reportedly raised objections concerning the delay in inaugurating a new court building in Jodhpur, describing the reasons for the delay as arbitrary and alleging that the episode caused institutional harm.
Complaint Over Lok Adalat Appointments
The controversy has also brought attention to a separate complaint submitted by advocate Pooja Tripathi to Supreme Court judge Justice Vikram Nath, with copies reportedly sent to several other judicial authorities.
The complaint contains allegations that Justice Sharma, while functioning as Acting Chief Justice, used his administrative position to secure permanent Lok Adalat appointments in Jaipur and Ajmer for individuals allegedly close to him.
The complaint reportedly refers to a childhood friend and spouses of two district judges.
It further alleges that Justice Sharma forwarded the names of four women advocates for elevation to the High Court despite claims regarding their professional practice and alleged links with senior lawyers or retired judges.
These allegations, too, remain subject to institutional examination and have not been judicially established.
Justice Mehta Seeks Chief Justice From Outside Rajasthan
Justice Mehta has reportedly expressed concern over the possibility of Justice Sharma being confirmed as the permanent Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
He has urged the Collegium to consider transferring Justice Sharma out of Rajasthan and appointing a Chief Justice from another State, arguing that such a move would help protect the institution from further controversy.
Justice Mehta has maintained that he had repeatedly sought the appointment of an outsider as Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court and expressed concern over the absence of action on his request.
Justice Sharma’s Judicial Career
Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma was appointed a judge of the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016 and was transferred to the Patna High Court in 2022.
After seeking repatriation to Rajasthan on health grounds, his request was declined by the Collegium headed by then CJI D.Y. Chandrachud in March 2023. He was instead transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In May 2025, a fresh Collegium resolution recommended his return to Rajasthan. He subsequently assumed charge as Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Mehta’s Long Association With Rajasthan High Court
Justice Sandeep Mehta himself has a long association with the Rajasthan High Court. He was appointed a judge of the Rajasthan High Court on May 30, 2011.
He later became Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in February 2023 before being elevated to the Supreme Court of India on November 9, 2023.
Collegium Examination Now Underway
The developments have placed the functioning of the Rajasthan High Court and the institutional process for dealing with concerns involving senior judges under close scrutiny.
With CJI Surya Kant confirming that the Collegium is examining Justice Mehta’s concerns, attention is now focused on the institutional process and any further decision that may emerge from the Supreme Court Collegium.
The CJI’s clarification that allegations cannot be treated as findings unless properly examined and established is also significant, underscoring the distinction between complaints or allegations and conclusions reache
