Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta has written to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant seeking action against Rajasthan High Court acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. In letters dated August 2, 10 and 17, Justice Mehta raised several concerns about the functioning of the High Court and asked for Justice Sharma to be transferred out of Rajasthan.
According to the report, Justice Mehta alleged that the acting Chief Justice had used his administrative powers, particularly his authority over the allocation of cases, in a selective manner. He alleged that some matters were moved to Justice Sharma’s own bench and that wealthy and influential litigants received preferential treatment.
The letters also reportedly raised allegations of corruption, favouritism and nepotism and claimed that some judges had faced pressure or threats of transfer if they did not cooperate. Justice Mehta referred to complaints concerning Justice Sharma’s judicial functioning and said these complaints raised questions that required serious consideration.
Justice Mehta also criticised the High Court’s administration of a three-day international conference in Jaipur. He said that the arrangement resulted in almost all judges being assigned to the event and that the Jodhpur principal seat was left without a functioning court for two days.
Justice Mehta therefore requested that an experienced Chief Justice from outside Rajasthan be appointed and that Justice Sharma be transferred. The allegations reported here are allegations made by Justice Mehta and should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing. The report also notes that Chief Justice Surya Kant indicated that such allegations could not themselves be treated as a final finding.
