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Supreme Court Collegium Recommends New Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice
The Supreme Court collegium wants Justice Sanjay K Agrawal to become the new chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
The recommendation came while Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma faced allegations about how he used his administrative powers.
Justice Sandeep Mehta said Sharma may have arranged case listings to help wealthy litigants.
Mehta also alleged that Sharma appointed people close to him to administrative positions.
Lawyers in Rajasthan protested and called for Sharma to be removed.
Sharma then chose not to hear cases for the time being.
A new court roster moved cases previously assigned to him to other benches.
The Supreme Court said the allegations were being examined and that Sharma should have a chance to respond.
The Supreme Court collegium recommended Justice Sanjay K Agrawal as chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court.
The recommendation followed allegations that Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma misused administrative powers.
Justice Sandeep Mehta alleged case-listing manipulation and appointments favoring people close to Sharma.
Sharma opted out of hearing cases after protests, while a new roster reassigned cases from his benches.
The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association announced a strike seeking Sharma’s removal and a permanent chief justice.
- Who
- The Supreme Court collegium, Justice Sanjay K Agrawal, Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, Justice Sandeep Mehta, and Rajasthan High Court lawyers.
- What
- The collegium recommended replacing Sharma as acting chief justice with Agrawal amid allegations of administrative-power misuse and protests by lawyers.
- Where
- The Rajasthan High Court, including its Jaipur and Jodhpur benches.
- When
- The recommendation and Sharma’s decision to opt out of hearings were reported on Monday; the lawyers’ strike was announced until September 6, and Sharma is due to retire on September 26.
- Why
- The recommendation followed allegations concerning case listings and administrative appointments, along with protests and demands for Sharma’s removal.
Calls for Replacement
Due Process and Review
Alleged misuse of administrative power
Calls for Replacement
Justice Sandeep Mehta alleged that Sharma manipulated case listings to favor wealthy litigants and appointed people close to him to administrative posts. Lawyers protested and sought his removal.
Due Process and Review
The allegations have not been presented as established findings in the reports. Chief Justice Surya Kant said they were being examined at the appropriate level and that Sharma should have an opportunity to respond.
Sharma’s role in hearings
Calls for Replacement
The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association called for Sharma’s removal, and protests were held at the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches.
Due Process and Review
Sharma opted out of hearing cases, and the new roster assigned no regular judicial sittings or bench membership to him from Tuesday through Saturday.
Key facts
- Recommended chief justice
- Justice Sanjay K Agrawal of the Chhattisgarh High Court
- Current acting chief justice
- Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma
- Allegations
- Justice Sandeep Mehta alleged that Sharma manipulated case listings and appointed people close to him to administrative posts.
- Roster change
- No bench was constituted with Sharma as a member, and his previously handled cases were assigned to other benches.
- Lawyers’ action
- The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association announced a strike until September 6.
- Retirement
- Sharma is due to retire on September 26.
- Supreme Court position
- Chief Justice Surya Kant said the allegations were being examined at the appropriate level and that Sharma should have an opportunity to respond.
Sources
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