Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Collegium Weighs Acting Chief Justice Recommendations
India’s Supreme Court Collegium chooses which people should become High Court judges.
Rajasthan’s Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has recommended at least four names.
Usually, acting chief justices do not send such recommendations because they may serve only briefly.
Some Collegium members believe Sharma’s recommendations should be judged by their quality, not just by his temporary title.
They also note that he has served as acting chief justice for nearly a year and belongs to the Rajasthan High Court.
Others worry that accepting his recommendations could make long acting appointments seem acceptable.
Earlier cases in Bombay and Rajasthan showed that the Collegium has handled similar recommendations differently.
A Supreme Court judge has also raised allegations about Sharma, but the Chief Justice of India said these complaints should be handled through official procedures.
The Supreme Court Collegium must decide whether to consider at least four Rajasthan High Court judge recommendations sent by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma.
One view says such recommendations should be assessed on merit, citing Sharma’s lengthy tenure and status as a Rajasthan High Court judge.
Another view warns that accepting recommendations from acting chief justices could encourage prolonged temporary appointments.
Earlier cases involving Bombay and Rajasthan high courts produced different outcomes for recommendations made near or during acting tenures.
Justice Sandeep Mehta has accused Sharma of administrative and listing-related misconduct, while CJI Surya Kant said such allegations must follow institutional channels.
- Who
- The Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, and Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma are central to the issue; Justice Sandeep Mehta has raised allegations against Sharma.
- What
- The Collegium is considering whether to examine at least four High Court judge recommendations made by an acting chief justice.
- When
- Sharma has served as acting chief justice since September 2025; Justice Mehta’s letters were dated August 2, 10 and 17, and the CJI responded on August 26.
- Where
- The issue concerns the Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court Collegium.
- Why
- The dispute concerns the convention that acting chief justices generally do not recommend judges, as well as questions about the adequacy of vetting and the precedent set by accepting such recommendations.
Consider Recommendations on Merit
Restrict Acting Chief Justice Powers
Whether to review Sharma’s names
Consider Recommendations on Merit
Recommendations should not be rejected solely because Sharma is acting chief justice; his nearly year-long tenure and experience in the Rajasthan High Court support considering them on merit.
Restrict Acting Chief Justice Powers
Acting chief justices traditionally do not make recommendations because their tenures are short, and accepting the names could weaken that convention.
Effect on future appointments
Consider Recommendations on Merit
A recommendation’s quality and the recommender’s familiarity with the High Court and its Bar should matter more than the formal title.
Restrict Acting Chief Justice Powers
Accepting recommendations from acting chief justices could remove pressure to appoint permanent chief justices and normalize long temporary tenures.
Handling allegations against Sharma
Consider Recommendations on Merit
The allegations raised by Justice Sandeep Mehta warrant institutional consideration alongside the Collegium’s review of Sharma’s conduct and recommendations.
Restrict Acting Chief Justice Powers
CJI Surya Kant said allegations against a sitting judge cannot be adjudicated through the media and must proceed through institutional channels.
- Recommendations under consideration
- At least four names recommended by Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma
- Acting tenure
- Sharma has headed the Rajasthan High Court in an acting capacity since September 2025
- Collegium composition
- CJI Surya Kant and Justices Vikram Nath, B V Nagarathna, M M Sundresh and P S Narasimha
- Earlier Bombay case
- Justice Dharmadhikari prepared 22 names in 2020; the Collegium sent 18 to the Centre, which later returned them
- Earlier Rajasthan case
- The Centre objected to at least 12 names recommended by Chief Justice Akil Kureshi in 2022 and later cleared eight
- Allegations raised
- Justice Sandeep Mehta alleged manipulation of case listings, threats to judges and misuse of administrative powers
- CJI response
- Surya Kant said allegations against a sitting judge should be handled through institutional channels, not the media