CJI says allegations against Rajasthan acting CJ not for public adjudication

Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the allegations made by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma cannot be adjudicated in the public domain and must be handled through institutional mechanisms. The CJI, who issued a press statement from Germany, said 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, malpractices, nepotism and favouritism. He alleged that Justice Sharma manipulated case listings to favour wealthy litigants, misused his roster powers, and threatened fellow judges with transfers by claiming proximity to the CJI. Justice Mehta urged the collegium to appoint a permanent chief justice from outside Rajasthan and transfer Justice Sharma out of the state. Justice Sharma has been acting chief justice for over 10 months and is due to retire on September 26.

The CJI said the collegium is already working on appointing chief justices in the remaining high courts. Any decision on Justice Sharma's continuation, transfer or other administrative action will be taken by the competent institutional authority after examining the material from both sides.