Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Strike Acting CJ Sharma: Demand Permanent Chief Justice

• The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association has declared a complete strike until Sunday, September 6.
• Lawyers are demanding the removal of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma and the appointment of a permanent Chief Justice.
• The protest follows allegations by Supreme Court Justice Sandeep Mehta that Acting CJ Sharma manipulated case listings and misused administrative powers.
• Police were called to disperse protesting lawyers at the Jaipur High Court premises during earlier demonstrations.
• The Association plans to send representations to the Chief Justice of India and the President regarding their demands.

Lawyers with active cases in the Rajasthan High Court should anticipate significant disruptions and delays in proceedings due to the ongoing strike by the Lawyers Association against Acting CJ Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, potentially impacting case management and client advice until at least September 6th.

The legal community in Rajasthan is currently experiencing significant upheaval, as the Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association has declared a comprehensive strike set to continue until Sunday, September 6. This decisive action, announced by Association President Dilip Singh Udawat following a general house meeting held on Monday, stems from a dual demand: the immediate removal of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma from his administrative charge and the prompt appointment of a permanent Chief Justice for the High Court.

This widespread cessation of work follows earlier, more localized protests that had already commenced at both the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches of the High Court. During these initial demonstrations, advocates voiced their strong opposition to Justice Sharma, leading to police intervention to disperse lawyers gathered at the Jaipur premises. Visual accounts from the protests depicted advocates actively raising slogans critical of Justice Sharma, including the Hindi chant, "Gali gali mein shor hai, humara mukhiya chor hai," which translates to "The word on the street is that our chief is a thief."

The current unrest among legal practitioners in the Rajasthan High Court is deeply rooted in serious allegations leveled against Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma. These concerns gained prominence through recent correspondence from Justice Sandeep Mehta of the Supreme Court, who addressed a letter to Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant. In his communication, Justice Mehta explicitly accused Justice Sharma of manipulating case listings and misusing his administrative powers within the High Court.

Justice Mehta's letter went further, urging the CJI to consider appointing a Chief Justice from a different state to assume leadership of the Rajasthan High Court. This request underscores the gravity of the accusations and the perceived need for an impartial authority. The Lawyers Association, in its emergency meeting, echoed these sentiments, with President Udawat stating that the prevailing situation "is against the sanctity of justice," necessitating a collective voice of protest.

The ongoing Rajasthan High Court lawyers strike Acting CJ Sharma carries substantial legal and procedural implications for the state's judicial system. The demand for a permanent Chief Justice, alongside the call for the divestment of Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma's charge, highlights a fundamental concern regarding judicial administration and independence. The allegations of Rajasthan High Court case listing manipulation strike at the core of fair judicial process, potentially undermining public and legal confidence in the court's operations.

The Rajasthan High Court Lawyers Association strike is not merely a symbolic gesture; it represents a complete halt to legal proceedings, directly impacting litigants and the administration of justice. Until the specified end date of September 6, the functioning of the High Court will be severely hampered. The Association has also committed to sending formal representations to both the Chief Justice of India and the President, indicating a strategic effort to escalate their grievances to the highest levels of the Indian judiciary and executive.

Lawyers with active cases in the Rajasthan High Court should anticipate significant disruptions and delays in proceedings due to the ongoing strike by the Lawyers Association against Acting CJ Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, potentially impacting case management and client advice until at least September 6th. This protest, which includes both the Jaipur and Jodhpur benches, is expected to severely impact case management and client advice for the duration.

The Acting Chief Justice Sanjeev Prakash Sharma protest has created an environment of uncertainty for legal professionals and their clients. The allegations of administrative misuse and case listing manipulation, as highlighted by Justice Sandeep Mehta's letter to the CJI, underscore the seriousness of the issues at stake. Practitioners must factor in these delays when advising clients and managing their caseloads, as the resolution of the strike and the underlying issues remains pending. The collective action by the legal fraternity underscores the depth of their concerns regarding judicial integrity in the state.

Lawyers with active cases in the Rajasthan High Court should anticipate significant disruptions and delays in proceedings due to the ongoing strike by the Lawyers Association against Acting CJ Sanjeev Prakash Sharma, potentially impacting case management and client advice until at least September 6th.

Source: Original reporting via the provided source material.