New Delhi, September 7: The ongoing dispute involving two judges of the Rajasthan High Court has taken a fresh turn, with Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta submitting another communication to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant against Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
Justice Mehta’s latest letter, dated August 30, reportedly contains fresh allegations relating to the handling of an internal judicial inquiry, confidentiality of proceedings and the exercise of administrative powers. The communication is understood to be the fourth letter sent by Justice Mehta to the CJI in connection with the matter.
Justice Mehta had earlier approached the Chief Justice of India through communications dated August 2, 10 and 17. In those letters, he had reportedly raised allegations concerning maladministration, favouritism, nepotism and alleged misuse of official authority against Justice Sharma, who at the time was functioning as Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
Justice Sharma has rejected the allegations, describing them as baseless and stemming from personal animosity. He has also stated that he submitted his response, along with supporting documents, before the competent authorities.
Fresh Allegations Relate to Judicial Inquiry
The latest communication reportedly focuses on an internal inquiry initiated by a complaint committee of the Rajasthan High Court in connection with allegations against a judicial officer.
According to the allegations cited by Justice Mehta, the judicial officer was accused of displaying indecent photographs of a woman judicial officer on a mobile phone.
Justice Mehta has referred to resolutions adopted by the complaint committee on May 21 and July 9, 2026, and alleged that they recorded concerns over interference by the then Acting Chief Justice in the inquiry process.
He has further claimed that such intervention raised questions regarding the independence of the committee and the proper conduct of the proceedings.
The committee, which reportedly included three women judges, is also said to have expressed concerns over the handling and circulation of confidential material connected with the inquiry.
Confidentiality of Proceedings Questioned
Justice Mehta has additionally alleged that documents and records relating to the inquiry were circulated among certain registry officials and other judicial officers.
According to the allegations, such circulation raised concerns about the confidentiality and integrity of the internal proceedings.
The claims, however, remain allegations and have been disputed by Justice Sharma, who has denied wrongdoing.
Administrative Decisions Also Under Scrutiny
Apart from the inquiry, Justice Mehta’s latest communication reportedly raises questions regarding several administrative decisions taken during Justice Sharma’s tenure as Acting Chief Justice.
These reportedly include alleged changes to rules, creation of posts carrying higher pay scales and the exercise of discretionary authority in matters concerning appointments.
The communication is also understood to refer to allegations of judicial intervention in a land-related dispute in Rajasthan and to a representation purportedly submitted by a litigant in connection with the matter.
Justice Mehta has further cited an earlier communication from the Rajasthan High Court Advocates Association, which had reportedly expressed concerns over the functioning of the Acting Chief Justice and sought the appointment of a regular Chief Justice.
CJI Had Stressed Need for Fair Hearing
The latest development comes days after CJI Surya Kant, on August 26, reportedly observed that allegations concerning Justice Sharma could not be conclusively determined through public discourse and that the concerned judge must be provided a fair opportunity to respond.
Justice Sharma subsequently proceeded on leave amid the controversy and protests by a section of lawyers outside his courtroom.
Throughout the controversy, Justice Sharma has maintained that the allegations against him are unfounded.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Collegium on August 31 recommended Justice Sanjay Kumar Agrawal for appointment as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. He was subsequently sworn in as Chief Justice, succeeding Justice Sharma, who had been serving as Acting Chief Justice.
Background of the Two Judges
Justice Sandeep Mehta was appointed to the Rajasthan High Court in May 2011. He subsequently became Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court in February 2023 and was elevated to the Supreme Court in November 2023.
Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma joined the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016. He was later transferred to the Patna High Court and subsequently to the Punjab and Haryana High Court before returning to the Rajasthan High Court.
The latest communication has once again brought the dispute into focus, raising broader questions over judicial administration, institutional accountability, confidentiality in internal inquiries and the mechanisms available for dealing with allegations involving members of the higher judiciary.
The allegations remain contested, and Justice Sharma has denied the charges. No final public finding on the allegations has been reported from the competent institutional authorities so far.
