SC Judge Sandeep Mehta Writes to CJI Demanding Immediate Removal of Rajasthan High Court Acting CJ Sanjeev Prakash Sharma
In a significant and high-profile judicial development, Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta has written a series of hard-hitting letters to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant, urgently demanding the immediate removal of Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. The correspondence has brought administrative and judicial concerns to the forefront, generating intense discussions within legal circles across the country.
A Series of Compelling Letters to the CJI
Justice Sandeep Mehta formally addressed the leadership of the judiciary through multiple communications sent on August 2, August 10, and August 17. In each of these detailed letters, Justice Mehta repeatedly appealed to the CJI to intervene and replace the current head of the Rajasthan High Court, citing serious administrative improprieties and concerns regarding judicial conduct.
In his initial letter, Justice Mehta did not mince words, remarking that there were numerous instances where Justice Sharma exercised his administrative powers as Acting Chief Justice in a manner unbecoming of the high office. Furthermore, Justice Mehta stated that he received multiple complaints concerning Justice Sharma's judicial work that raised prima facie questions about judicial integrity.
Allegations of Intimidating Fellow Judges and Misuse of Influence
Detailing the grievances brought to his attention during a personal visit to Rajasthan, Justice Mehta noted that several sitting judges of the Rajasthan High Court expressed deep displeasure over Justice Sharma's behavior. The complaints alleged that the Acting Chief Justice frequently threatened his judicial colleagues with punitive transfers by boasting of his alleged closeness to top judicial authorities.
Justice Mehta's letter dated August 17 raised critical questions regarding why Justice Sharma—who is scheduled to retire next month on September 26, 2026—was allowed to continue despite ongoing controversies surrounding his performance and administrative actions. Justice Mehta also drew attention to the fact that Justice Sharma had been serving as Acting Chief Justice for an unusually prolonged period of ten months.
Background on Collegium Decisions and Transfers
The correspondence also sheds light on the past administrative trajectory of Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. After being elevated to the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016, he was subsequently transferred to the Patna High Court in 2022.
In March 2023, the Supreme Court Collegium rejected Justice Sharma's request to return to the Rajasthan High Court on medical grounds, instead proposing his transfer to the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Justice Mehta pointed out that this earlier restriction was likely influenced by observations regarding Justice Sharma's past conduct. However, in May 2026, the Collegium greenlit his return to the Rajasthan High Court, a decision Justice Mehta characterized in his letter as difficult to comprehend given the prior administrative notes.
