Justice Sandeep Mehta: SP Sharma Rajasthan Allegations Spark Inquiry

• Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta has accused Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma of misconduct.
• Allegations include manipulation of case listings for rich litigants and misuse of administrative powers.
• Justice Mehta sent three letters to the CJI, urging Justice Sharma's transfer and the immediate appointment of an external Chief Justice.
• CJI Surya Kant confirmed the Supreme Court Collegium is examining the allegations through established institutional processes.
• Justice Sharma will be given an opportunity to respond to the accusations.

The unfolding situation, involving Justice Sandeep Mehta's allegations against SP Sharma in Rajasthan, carries significant implications for judicial administration and public confidence in the justice system.

Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta has brought serious allegations of misconduct against Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice SP Sharma, prompting a significant judicial ethics inquiry. Justice Mehta formally communicated his concerns to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) through a series of three letters, advocating for the immediate transfer of Justice Sharma from his current posting in Rajasthan. These communications specifically urged the Supreme Court Collegium to appoint a Chief Justice from another High Court to lead the Rajasthan High Court without delay.

The core of Justice Mehta's accusations centers on the alleged manipulation of case listings within the Rajasthan High Court, purportedly favoring affluent litigants. Furthermore, Justice Sharma is accused of misusing his administrative powers, particularly as his retirement date approaches next month. In a letter dated August 2, Justice Mehta referenced complaints reportedly made by other judges of the Rajasthan High Court regarding Justice Sharma's conduct.

Justice Mehta also claimed that Justice Sharma had threatened fellow High Court judges with transfers, asserting a close relationship with the CJI to bolster these threats. The letters also cited two specific division bench orders from the Rajasthan High Court, which pertained to a collection of appeals involving what Justice Mehta described as "priceless lands" located in Udaipur.

In response to these grave accusations, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant acknowledged the concerns raised by Justice Sandeep Mehta regarding Rajasthan High Court Acting CJ SP Sharma. The CJI issued a press statement on Wednesday evening, confirming that the Supreme Court Collegium is actively examining the matter. He underscored that any allegations against a sitting judge must be processed through established institutional procedures.

The Chief Justice of India emphasized that a definitive decision can only be reached after Justice Sharma has been afforded a fair opportunity to respond to the allegations leveled against him. This official statement from the CJI followed a report by Bar & Bench, which initially brought to light the details of Justice Mehta's letters to the CJI, detailing the alleged misconduct and the call for Justice Sharma's transfer. The Collegium's involvement signifies a formal Supreme Court judicial ethics inquiry into the reported actions of the Rajasthan High Court's acting head.

The unfolding situation, involving Justice Sandeep Mehta's allegations against SP Sharma in Rajasthan, carries significant implications for judicial administration and public confidence in the justice system. The accusations, particularly concerning the manipulation of case listings Rajasthan High Court, strike at the heart of judicial impartiality and fairness. Should such misconduct be substantiated, it could undermine the perceived integrity of court processes and the trust placed in judicial leadership.

The call for an immediate appointment of a Chief Justice from outside the Rajasthan High Court underscores the perceived urgency and gravity of the situation. This development highlights the Supreme Court Collegium's role in upholding judicial ethics and ensuring accountability within the higher judiciary. The outcome of this inquiry will be closely watched, as it could set precedents for how allegations of administrative misuse and ethical breaches are addressed at the highest levels of the Indian judiciary.

Lawyers practicing in the Rajasthan High Court should monitor the Collegium's inquiry into allegations against Acting CJ SP Sharma, particularly concerning case listing manipulation, as it could impact judicial administration and the perceived fairness of court processes.

Source: Original reporting via Bar & Bench