Behind the controversy engulfing Rajasthan's top judge: ‘Maladministration or personal grudge?’
Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma faces serious allegations of maladministration and nepotism from a Supreme Court judge, leading to his transfer recommendation
Rajasthan High Court's Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has attributed the recent allegations of "gross maladministration and misuse of powers" against him to "personal enmity." This development follows the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation to appoint Justice Sanjay K. Agarwal as the new Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court. The recommendation was spurred by a letter from Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, which outlined serious concerns regarding Justice Sharma's administrative and judicial conduct, citing complaints of mismanagement, nepotism, and favouritism, including the alleged arbitrary transfer of cases. Justice Sharma has stated he has presented his refutation with evidence to the Chief Justice of India and has appealed for patience from the public and legal fraternity. In parallel, lawyers' associations in Rajasthan have escalated their protests against Justice Sharma.
Rajasthan High Court's Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has attributed the recent allegations of "gross maladministration and misuse of powers" against him to "personal enmity." This development follows the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation to appoint Justice Sanjay K. Agarwal as the new Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court. The recommendation was spurred by a letter from Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, which outlined serious concerns regarding Justice Sharma's administrative and judicial conduct, citing complaints of mismanagement, nepotism, and favouritism, including the alleged arbitrary transfer of cases. Justice Sharma has stated he has presented his refutation with evidence to the Chief Justice of India and has appealed for patience from the public and legal fraternity. In parallel, lawyers' associations in Rajasthan have escalated their protests against Justice Sharma.
Rajasthan High Court's Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has attributed the recent allegations of "gross maladministration and misuse of powers" against him to "personal enmity." This development follows the Supreme Court collegium's recommendation to appoint Justice Sanjay K. Agarwal as the new Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court. The recommendation was spurred by a letter from Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, which outlined serious concerns regarding Justice Sharma's administrative and judicial conduct, citing complaints of mismanagement, nepotism, and favouritism, including the alleged arbitrary transfer of cases. Justice Sharma has stated he has presented his refutation with evidence to the Chief Justice of India and has appealed for patience from the public and legal fraternity. In parallel, lawyers' associations in Rajasthan have escalated their protests against Justice Sharma.
Days after he found himself at the centre of a controversy over allegations of “gross maladministration and misuse of powers”, acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, has broken his silence to claim that all accusations against him were due to “personal enmity”.
On Monday, the Supreme Court's collegium, which deals with the appointment and transfer of judges, recommended Justice Sanjay K. Agarwal, a judge of the Chhattisgarh High Court, as the Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court. This follows a letter written by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta to CJI Surya Kanth raising serious allegations against Justice Sharma and seeking his transfer out of Rajasthan.
Mehta wrote the letters on August 2, 10, and 17, questioning the administrative and judicial functioning of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and levelled allegations of mismanagement, wrong practices, nepotism and favouritism. Justice Mehta also alleged that some cases were withdrawn from other benches and sent to another division bench without any valid reason.
Justice Mehta stated that he had received numerous complaints against Justice Sharma. According to him, these complaints raised questions about the “integrity and impartiality” of the Acting Chief Justice.
This was followed by a protest by a group of advocates outside his courtroom at the Jaipur bench on Monday over allegations concerning judicial administration and case listings levelled against him by Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta. After this, Justice Sharma went on leave.
‘Personal grudge’
In the statement defending himself, Justice Sharma appealed to the media, lawyers, and others to respect the principles of justice and exercise patience until the Chief Justice of India decides the matter. He said he has full faith in the Indian judicial system.
Justice Sharma also said that when the time is right, and the Chief Justice allows it, he will personally present his side to the media.
He stated that he had sent his response to the Supreme Court Chief Justice Surya Kant, where the allegations made in the letters have been refuted with evidence.
Meanwhile, lawyers' associations in Rajasthan have also intensified their protests against Justice Sharma. Earlier this week, some lawyers in Jaipur staged a sit-in outside his court on August 31st and raised slogans against him.
The Rajasthan High Court Advocates' Association in Jodhpur said it would go ahead with its strike on Tuesday against Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, but would hold a meeting later in the day to decide their future course of action.