‘Misused powers, threatened judges’: What Justice Mehta told CJI Kant on Rajasthan HC acting CJ’s removal

Supreme Court judge Justice Sandeep Mehta has sought the immediate removal of Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, accusing him of misusing his administrative powers, favouring “rich and influential” litigants and engaging in alleged corruption, nepotism and favouritism.

In three letters dated August 2, 10 and 17 to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Mehta alleged that Sharma had selectively transferred cases to his own bench while exercising his powers as master of the roster.

According to the letters, accessed by HT, Mehta said he had received several complaints about Sharma’s judicial functioning that “prima facie, raise doubts on his integrity”.

What Justice Mehta alleged

Mehta raised several concerns over the functioning of the Rajasthan High Court under Sharma, including:

• Alleged corruption, nepotism and favouritism in the high court administration.
• Selective transfer of cases to the acting chief justice’s bench.
• Preferential treatment for “rich and influential” litigants.
• Misuse of powers as master of the roster.
• Alleged threats of transfers against judges who did not cooperate.
• Claims of “vindictive” conduct by Sharma towards fellow judges.
• A “seriously skewed” approach towards the Jodhpur Bench.

Justice Mehta also criticised the administration of a three-day international conference held in Jaipur from July 31 to August 2.

He claimed that almost all high court judges had been nominated to attend the event, leaving the Jodhpur principal seat without a functional court for two days.

Mehta seeks Sharma’s transfer

Justice Mehta urged CJI Surya Kant to appoint a chief justice from another state and transfer Sharma out of Rajasthan.

He said continued inaction over the allegations against the acting chief justice would be “against the interest of the institution”.

Sharma’s judicial career

Justice Sharma was appointed to the Rajasthan High Court in November 2016 and transferred to the Patna High Court in January 2022. His request to return to Rajasthan on health grounds was rejected by the Supreme Court Collegium in March 2023, which instead transferred him to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The Collegium later recommended his repatriation to Rajasthan in May 2025. He has since been serving as the acting chief justice of the Rajasthan High Court.