Rajasthan HC: Acting CJ SP Sharma Opts Out Amid Lawyer Protests

• Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma has opted out of judicial work following widespread lawyer protests.
• A new judicial roster excludes Justice Sharma from benches and reassigns his previously handled cases to other judges.
• The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association has declared a complete strike until September 6 and is sending representations to the Chief Justice of India and the President.
• Lawyers are demanding Justice Sharma's removal and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice for the High Court.
• The protests were sparked by allegations from Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta, who requested Justice Sharma's replacement for alleged misuse of office.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who serves as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, has made the decision to recuse himself from hearing cases.

Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, who serves as the Acting Chief Justice of the Rajasthan High Court, has made the decision to recuse himself from hearing cases. This significant development follows a period of intense protests and widespread discontent among the legal fraternity within the state.

As a direct consequence of this decision, a new judicial roster, personally finalized by Justice Sharma, has been issued. This revised schedule notably omits his inclusion in any judicial bench and assigns no regular judicial sittings to him for the period spanning September 1 to September 5. Furthermore, all legal matters that were previously assigned to the Acting Chief Justice will now be redistributed among other benches, ensuring that judicial proceedings can continue without interruption despite his recusal.

The decision by Justice Sharma comes amidst escalating actions by lawyers, who have been vocal in their demands for change. The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association announced a complete strike, which is slated to continue until September 6. This declaration followed an emergency general house meeting held on Monday, where the association also resolved to send formal representations to both the Chief Justice of India, Surya Kant, and the President of India, underscoring the gravity of their concerns.

The catalyst for the widespread unrest and the subsequent protests by the legal community stems from serious allegations made against Justice Sharma. These accusations were formally leveled by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta. Justice Mehta specifically requested Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to replace the Rajasthan High Court Acting Chief Justice, citing alleged misuse of office.

These allegations from a Supreme Court Justice provided a significant impetus for the lawyers' agitation, fueling their demands for administrative and leadership changes within the High Court. The protests and the subsequent recusal of Justice Sharma are directly linked to the gravity of these claims and the legal community's response to them.

At the heart of the lawyers' demands is not only the call for Justice Sharma to be divested of his acting charge but also a strong plea for the prompt appointment of a permanent Chief Justice to the High Court. This reflects a broader desire for stability and clear leadership within the state's highest judicial body.

The ongoing strike, coupled with the significant Rajasthan High Court roster change and the redistribution of cases previously assigned to the Acting Chief Justice, is expected to have a tangible impact on the scheduling and hearing timelines of various legal matters. The situation highlights the administrative challenges faced by the High Court in maintaining judicial continuity amidst such significant internal and external pressures.

Lawyers with cases before the Rajasthan High Court, particularly those previously assigned to Acting Chief Justice Sharma, must monitor the revised roster and potential reassignments. The ongoing lawyers' strike and judicial administrative changes could impact case scheduling and hearing timelines, necessitating proactive follow-up on affected matters.

Source: Original reporting via Bar & Bench