CJI says collegium examining allegations against Rajasthan acting chief justice

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said allegations against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma made by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta must be handled through institutional mechanisms, not in public. The CJI stressed that Justice Sharma must be given a fair opportunity to respond before any conclusion is reached.

Justice Mehta wrote three letters to the CJI in August accusing Justice Sharma of maladministration, nepotism, favouritism and misuse of roster powers to favour wealthy litigants. The Federal reports that Justice Mehta alleged some Rajasthan High Court judges complained Justice Sharma threatened them with transfers claiming closeness to the CJI. Barandbench reports Justice Mehta cited two specific case instances, including a land matter shifted to Justice Sharma's bench despite his own earlier ruling that such cases must stay at Jodhpur.

Hindustan Times reports Justice Mehta also alleged that a sitting high court judge complained about vindictive conduct by Justice Sharma towards his wife, a district judiciary officer. The CJI said any decision on Justice Sharma's continuation or transfer will be taken by the competent authority after examining the material from both sides.