6 days ago
CJI Seeks Responses as Collegium Weighs High Court Appointments
A senior judge, Justice Sandeep Mehta, raised concerns about how the Rajasthan High Court was being managed.
He asked for Justice S P Sharma to be transferred and for another judge to become the permanent Chief Justice.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant asked both sides to explain their positions.
He said accusations should be examined using official court procedures.
He also said that accusations alone do not prove that a judge did anything wrong.
The Supreme Court does not want these disputes decided through arguments in newspapers or other media.
At the same time, a group of senior judges called the Collegium is considering appointments for several High Courts.
Seven of India’s 25 High Courts currently have acting Chief Justices.
Justice Sharma is being considered for the permanent post in Rajasthan, but he is scheduled to retire on September 26 unless he is promoted to the Supreme Court.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant sought comments from both sides over allegations involving Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice S P Sharma.
Justice Mehta alleged gross maladministration, misuse of administrative powers and favouritism in the Rajasthan High Court.
The CJI said allegations against a sitting judge must be handled through established institutional mechanisms, not competing claims in the media.
The Collegium is considering Chief Justice appointments, while seven of India’s 25 High Courts currently have acting Chief Justices.
Justice Sharma’s possible appointment as Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice is being considered ahead of his scheduled retirement on September 26.
- Who
- Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta, Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice S P Sharma and the Supreme Court Collegium.
- What
- The CJI sought responses from both sides while the Collegium considers High Court Chief Justice appointments and allegations concerning the Rajasthan High Court.
- Where
- The dispute concerns the Rajasthan High Court and appointments to High Courts across India.
- When
- The article says the developments occurred before the CJI’s scheduled engagements from August 26 to 30; Justice Sharma is scheduled to retire on September 26.
- Why
- The CJI sought a response because allegations were being made by both sides and said the matter must be handled through established institutional procedures.
Concerns Raised
Institutional Response
Handling of the Rajasthan High Court
Concerns Raised
Justice Sandeep Mehta sought Justice S P Sharma’s transfer and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice from another High Court, citing alleged maladministration, misuse of administrative powers and favouritism.
Institutional Response
The CJI’s office said the concerns had been noted but must be addressed through established institutional mechanisms rather than competing claims in the media.
Status of the allegations
Concerns Raised
Justice Mehta’s letters raised allegations about the functioning of the Rajasthan High Court.
Institutional Response
The CJI said the allegations cannot be adjudicated in the public domain and that making an allegation does not itself establish wrongdoing.
Justice Sharma’s possible appointment
Concerns Raised
Justice Sharma’s candidature was reportedly being actively considered for appointment as Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice.
Institutional Response
The Collegium had not yet made a recommendation for the Rajasthan High Court, and the process remained under consideration while responses were sought.
Key facts
- Allegations
- Justice Sandeep Mehta alleged gross maladministration, misuse of administrative powers and favouritism in the Rajasthan High Court.
- CJI’s position
- Surya Kant said allegations against a sitting judge require a fair opportunity for the concerned judge to respond and cannot be treated as established findings.
- High Courts with acting Chief Justices
- Seven of India’s 25 High Courts currently have acting Chief Justices.
- Recent Collegium recommendations
- On August 6, the Collegium recommended Chief Justices for the Patna, Bombay, Calcutta, and Punjab and Haryana High Courts.
- Pending recommendations
- Recommendations were still pending for the Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan High Courts.
- Justice Sharma’s tenure
- Justice Sharma has served as Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court since September 28, 2025, and is scheduled to retire on September 26 unless elevated to the Supreme Court.
- CJI’s travel schedule
- Surya Kant was scheduled to attend judicial and legal engagements in Germany and the United Kingdom from August 26 to 30.
Quotes
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India whose office issued the statement on handling the allegations
“The CJI maintained that the contents of the letters cannot be adjudicated in the public domain and that the concerned judge must be given a fair opportunity to place his response before any conclusion is reached.”
indianexpress.com
“The fact that allegations have been made, therefore, cannot by itself be treated as a finding against the judge.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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